Runner carrying baby disqualified from Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon

A male runner was removed from the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon on Sunday after he was spotted carrying a baby on his chest during the full marathon, sparking widespread online discussion.

The Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA) confirmed the participant violated race rules by bringing an infant onto the course. 

Officials immediately stopped him and ordered him to leave the track to ensure safety.

According to race regulations, participants are prohibited from bringing infants, anyone under 16, or anyone without a valid 2026 race bib onto the course. Violators face instant removal, disqualification, and possible future entry bans.

Video footage shared online showed the middle-aged man running along West Kowloon Highway near Hoi Ying Estate with a baby estimated to be around six months old strapped to his front. 

The runner’s bib was attached to the infant’s cover, and he supported the baby’s neck with one hand while holding a phone in the other. 

The baby appeared calm, but passing runners frequently turned to look.

Records indicate the runner surnamed Wang started the full marathon at 6:25 am and covered about 15 km in roughly 2 hours 20 minutes before being stopped.

Election Committee lawmaker and The Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) chairman Peter Douglas Koon Ho-ming described the act as inappropriate and dangerous, noting the potential discomfort to the child and collision risk from other runners. 

He said it placed the infant in an unsafe situation and believed organisers were right to intervene immediately.