Beijing Half Marathon runner insists he was employed as ‘pacer’ for winner He Jie, as agent angrily denies involvement

April 16, 2024

Willy Mnangat, one of the runners involved in the Mengniu Beijing Half Marathon controversy, insists he was a pacemaker in the race despite suggestions he entered as a runner.

Kenyans Mnangat and Robert Keter, and Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu Bikila found themselves in the middle of a social media storm on Monday, with footage of the end of Sunday’s race showing them slowing down to let China’s He Jie win. SCMP