Chinese Woman Who Cheated Using A Bicycle In A Marathon Banned For Life

SHANGHAI, China- A woman was caught using a bicycle during a marathon in China, earning a lifetime ban from the race and adding to a growing number of scandals to tarnish the sport in the country.

The woman surnamed Meng was filmed brazenly riding the green-coloured bike in Sunday's Xuzhou International Marathon in the eastern province of Jiangsu. 

Meng, who could face further punishment from China's athletics association (CAA), was ordered by officials to dismount the bike, but got back on again afterwards.

Wearing bib number D2113, she finished the race in five hours 38 mins 36 secs, but her time was consequently scrubbed from records.

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"After an official found her and stopped her, the participant again rode (on the bike)," said a statement released Tuesday by organisers, adding Meng was barred from the marathon in future.

National debate

"She violated the rules."

Marathon running is booming in China, but there have been problems.

At November's half-marathon in Shenzhen, southern China, more than 250 runners cheated, including many who took shortcuts.

In the same month, runner He Yinli unwittingly sparked a national debate about patriotism after an overly enthusiastic volunteer darted onto the course to hand her a Chinese flag as she vied for victory at the Suzhou Marathon.

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In 2011, there were just 22 marathons, half-marathons or other running events in China, according to the CAA.

However, that figure skyrocketed to nearly 1,100 last year.