Marathon runner disqualified for performing mid-race splits
March 27, 2026
In a sport where “splits” usually refer to pacing, one marathoner took it literally at last weekend’s Chengdu World Heritage Marathon in China, and is now facing the consequences.
A woman wearing bib 55603 stopped abruptly mid-race to perform the splits for a photo, leading to her being disqualified and banned for two years.
According to the South China Morning Post, race organizers said she had “committed a rule-breaking action that caused others to trip, affecting the safety and fairness of other participants,” and will also be barred from the 2027 and 2028 editions of the race. CANADIAN Running Magazine
