A Chinese marathon runner known as "Uncle Chen" has found himself disqualified from a marathon after chain-smoking his way through the entire 26-mile race.
As reported by MailOnline, Uncle Chen apparently fell afoul of the race's rules that strictly prohibit smoking on the course - despite crossing the line in an impressive three hours and 33 minutes.
The race took part on January 7.
Chen reportedly violated a new regulation against uncivilized behavior, which encompasses actions like "open defecation, smoking, or trampling on flower beds or green spaces." The Chinese Athletics Association introduced this rule last year to promote a healthier and more respectful environment during the races, per Business Insider.
Uncle Chen, who has gained internet fame in the past for his unique habit, was captured in photos and videos during a race with a cigarette in his mouth a couple of years ago.
In 2022, he participated in the Xin'anjiang Marathon, where he secured the 574th position out of over 1,500 runners. During that race, he completed the marathon in three hours and 28 minutes, slightly faster than his most recent attempt.
According to the running website Marathon Handbook, that's around 20 minutes faster than the average time it took runners to complete the Boston Marathon in 2022
Sky News reported at the time that Uncle Chen has been seen running other races while puffing on a cigarette, including the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon and the 2019 Xiamen Marathon.
His 2018 time reported clocked in at 3 hours and 36 minutes, and he crossed the finish line in 3 hours and 32 minutes in 2019.
Apparently, he has claimed that smoking helps him combat fatigue, as he keeps a cigarette in his mouth while running, allowing him to easily inhale and continue his race.
And he certainly has his fans, as over on X (formerly known as Twitter), some users have branded Chen a "hero" or a "legend".
However, his unconventional approach to marathon running has ultimately led to disqualification in the Xiamen Marathon due to the newly enforced rules against smoking - which may lead to the runner finding another way of coping with the physical stress a marathon can put on a person's body.
While Uncle Chen may not be lighting up during races in the future, his unique style and determination have certainly made him a memorable figure in the world of marathons.
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