Lifetime ban for attention-grabbing marathon man

Eunice Lam

Youtuber Carriage Lau Chun-hin, who likes to draw attention, has been banned for life from joining all races organized by the Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates after he jumped into a marathon halfway through in February.

Lau livestreamed his run, finished the race, and collected the medal without prior registration for the February 12 event.

The HKAAA solemnly condemned the 27-year-old influencer - who has been remanded in custody since May for three counts of indecent assault - in a statement yesterday, saying he had attempted to break into the starting line and the race route without registration. He ignored workers' reminders and instructions multiple times as well.

The HKAAA decided to hand Lau a life ban from participating in any races they organize in the future, including the Hong Kong Marathon.

"[The association] reaffirms that any behavior that affects our events or the safety of the participants and officials will be strictly handled by the association according to the established policy," it said.

During a live broadcast on his YouTube channel on February 12, Lau revealed that he was not registered for the marathon race.

After he crossed the finish line at Victoria Park in Causeway Bay, Lau told local media that he had taken the place of his friend who felt unwell.

Lau added he had missed the application deadline - which ended in November last year.

Previously, he was arrested in July 2019 on the mainland for obscene acts and was jailed for three and a half years. He was released this January.

But he has been again remanded in custody since May as he faces three counts of indecent assault.

The charges allege Lau of sexually assaulting a woman, "X," at the escalator in Tin Shui Wai MTR station and a woman, "Y," at the train platform on April 26.

Two days later, he was alleged to have sexually assaulted a third woman, "Z," in the Starbucks at Harbour Plaza Resort City Tower 1 in Tin Shui Wai.

The case was adjourned to July 13 at Tuen Mun Magistrates' Court.