For most of us just running a marathon is hard enough. But for some runners they like to add juggling or running in costume. Then there is the man affectionately known as the “Smoking Brother”, who you guessed it chain smokes throughout the race.
In 2022,a 50-year-old runner hailing from China has captured attention worldwide for his recent feat at the Xin’anjiang Marathon in Jiande.
Dubbed “Uncle Chen” by admirers, this seasoned runner completed the marathon in an impressive three hours and 28 minutes – all while indulging in a chain-smoking session, reportedly consuming an entire pack of cigarettes along the course.
Despite the distraction – or perhaps fueled by it – Uncle Chen secured the 574th position out of more than 1,500 participants, a testament to his remarkable physical prowess and determination.
Shortly after the race (and mostly because of the viral images), Chen was in fact disqualified from the race.
According to a statement issued on Weibo by the organizers of the Xiamen Marathon, it was confirmed that a participant had violated a specific provision outlined in the race’s rules and regulations. This provision expressly forbids behaviors such as open defecation, smoking, or damaging green areas, aiming to maintain the integrity and decorum of the event.
In 2024, after a couple years off, he returned to the race and once again lined up with his cigarettes.
This time around he was issued a complete ban from any event in the next two years.
This blend of running and smoking is not new to Uncle Chen. Reports from local Chinese media reveal that he first gained attention in 2017 when he participated in a marathon event in Hangzhou. It was there that his distinctive running style earned him the moniker “Smoking Brother” among his peers and fans alike.
His unconventional approach has not hindered his performance in previous marathons either. In 2018, Uncle Chen completed the Guangzhou Marathon in three hours and 36 minutes, maintaining his smoking habit throughout the race. Similarly, he showcased his endurance at the Xiamen Marathon in 2019, finishing with a time of three hours and 32 minutes.
I can’t imagine being the person running near him and smelling it, but what do you think?
Worthy of a ban?
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David Mellor
If it’s in the rules that smoking is prohibited, then yes! As for whether it *should* be in the rules- I agree that it should be banned- mainly because of its effect on other runners.
Amanda Brooks
I honestly never thought about it even being in the rules. I mean it makes sense!