Zhengzhou Marathon Bans Runner for Tying Child to Waist — image accompanying Marathon Handbook's report. Image accompanying Marathon Handbook’s report; reduced and presented for news commentary with the attributed report. View the complete source report.
Marathon Handbook reports a runner was banned for three years after tying a 9-year-old boy to his waist during the Zhengzhou Marathon. The boy was half the age of the youngest allowed entrant. The runner's result was thrown out, and he received a three-year ban.
Footage of the incident circulated online, showing the boy struggling to keep pace. The runner's pace was around eight minutes per mile, completing the half-marathon in about 1:45. The organizers did not confirm if the boy finished. Read more racing coverage.
Under Zhengzhou's rules, entrants must be at least 18 for the half-marathon. Doctors warned of risks for children running such distances, including heat management and heart development issues. Related: Weini Kelati to Debut in NYC Marathon.
This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.
Reader questions
Questions about this report
What should runners know about Zhengzhou Marathon Bans Runner for Tying Child to Waist?
Marathon runner banned for three years after race with child tied to him Marathon Handbook reports a runner was banned for three years after tying a 9-year-old boy to his waist during the Zhengzhou Marathon. The boy was half the age of the youngest allowed entrant. The runner's result was thrown out, and he received a three-year ban.
When did Runner World publish this racing brief?
Runner World published this brief on October 27, 2026. The underlying Marathon Handbook report was dated October 27, 2026.
Where can readers find the complete original report?
This summary is based on reporting from Marathon Handbook. The attributed source link in the article leads to the publisher’s complete report.
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