50-year-old goes viral for smoking during a marathon – but others say he should be banned
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A 50-year-old man has become the subject of various debates online after it was discovered that he completed a marathon while chain-smoking.
While it’s a bit impressive to know he still finished with a record time, the smoking habit caused quite a stir for many onlookers – who inevitably wanted him out of future races.
The man, known as ‘Uncle Chen’, was photographed while running the Xin’anjiang marathon in Jiande, China recently while smoking throughout the event. The images went viral on Weibo, a popular social media app in China.
He finished the 42-kilometre race with an impressive time of three hours and 28 minutes, placing 574th among nearly 1,500 runners.
Uncle Chen seems to have a habit of smoking in marathons. He was first pictured smoking in a marathon in Guangzhou in 2018, where he clocked in at three hours and thirty-six minutes. At the 2019 Xiamen Marathon, he ran for three hours and thirty-two minutes.
He also competes in ultramarathons as well, running for up to 12 hours straight or distances from 50 kilometres.
Uncle Chen (allegedly) only smokes cigarettes when running.
However, social media users were upset over this, saying that Uncle Chen’s behaviour was ‘inappropriate’ considering he entered an athletics event. Most expressed their frustration that Uncle Chen is still allowed to smoke while running and some said it wasn’t fair for other athletes in his vicinity who might be inhaling second-hand smoke.
‘This type of behaviour should be banned from the race,’ one commented.
Another wrote: ‘I feel bad for the runners around him.’
‘Imagine being stuck behind him the whole race,’ a third added.
Some joked around and saluted his abilities.
‘There goes my hero. Watch him as he smokes,’ shared one on social media site, Instagram.
Someone else commented: ‘So this is what peak performance looks like.’
Others wondered if smoking during a marathon would constitute a ‘doping violation’. The use of performance-enhancing drugs is prohibited in almost all sporting events; there are technically no rules against smoking during Chinese marathons.
Uncle Chen, who earned the nickname ‘Smoking Brother’ after an event in 2017, wasn’t trying for a world record it seems. There are no records for smoking cigarettes while running a marathon in the Guinness World Records.
What can you say about this story, members? Do you think Uncle Chen’s habit is impressive or is it inappropriate for an athlete? Let us know what you think in the comments below!
While it’s a bit impressive to know he still finished with a record time, the smoking habit caused quite a stir for many onlookers – who inevitably wanted him out of future races.
The man, known as ‘Uncle Chen’, was photographed while running the Xin’anjiang marathon in Jiande, China recently while smoking throughout the event. The images went viral on Weibo, a popular social media app in China.
He finished the 42-kilometre race with an impressive time of three hours and 28 minutes, placing 574th among nearly 1,500 runners.
Apparently, Uncle Chen has this habit of lighting up only when he competes in marathons. Credit: Faudi Muhadi on YouTube
Uncle Chen seems to have a habit of smoking in marathons. He was first pictured smoking in a marathon in Guangzhou in 2018, where he clocked in at three hours and thirty-six minutes. At the 2019 Xiamen Marathon, he ran for three hours and thirty-two minutes.
He also competes in ultramarathons as well, running for up to 12 hours straight or distances from 50 kilometres.
Uncle Chen (allegedly) only smokes cigarettes when running.
However, social media users were upset over this, saying that Uncle Chen’s behaviour was ‘inappropriate’ considering he entered an athletics event. Most expressed their frustration that Uncle Chen is still allowed to smoke while running and some said it wasn’t fair for other athletes in his vicinity who might be inhaling second-hand smoke.
‘This type of behaviour should be banned from the race,’ one commented.
Another wrote: ‘I feel bad for the runners around him.’
‘Imagine being stuck behind him the whole race,’ a third added.
Some joked around and saluted his abilities.
‘There goes my hero. Watch him as he smokes,’ shared one on social media site, Instagram.
Someone else commented: ‘So this is what peak performance looks like.’
Uncle Chen runs with a cigarette in his mouth. Credit: Weibo
Others wondered if smoking during a marathon would constitute a ‘doping violation’. The use of performance-enhancing drugs is prohibited in almost all sporting events; there are technically no rules against smoking during Chinese marathons.
Uncle Chen, who earned the nickname ‘Smoking Brother’ after an event in 2017, wasn’t trying for a world record it seems. There are no records for smoking cigarettes while running a marathon in the Guinness World Records.
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does he do it on purpose to bother other runners or does he do it to get publicity?
