Disqualification drama at Standard Chartered marathon: Three runners penalized for bib mix-up

Three mainland runners were disqualified from the half marathon and 10-kilometer challenge at the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon for wearing incorrect bib numbers. 

The athletes involved are half marathon runners He Yingbing and Sun Xiaoyang, along with men’s 10-kilometer competitor Lan Jiehuai.

Dennis Ng Yu-ho, executive director of the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates, said that post-race verification revealed that some runners had bib numbers that did not match their identities. 

“The disqualified athletes are all from the same running team and managed by the same agent. We provided the bib numbers and athlete bags to that agent, who then distributed them,” Ng said. 

“We need to investigate the details to understand how the mix-up occurred.”

He Yingbing and Sun Xiaoyang had originally finished as the first two runners in the half marathon. 
Following their disqualification, local athlete Vincent Lam was declared the new winner of the category. 

In the men’s 10-kilometer challenge, Lan Jiehuai was initially the first runner-up, but the title has now been awarded to Hong Kong triathlon athlete Wong Tsz-to, who finished third.

(Cheng Wong)