It’s been a yr since Canadian Operating broke the story of Uncle Chen, who ran a 3:28 marathon whereas chain-smoking cigarettes. To have fun the anniversary, right here’s some behind-the-scenes data on how the story took place, the aftermath, and the place Uncle Chen is now.
The way it took place
Often, come November to January within the operating season, occasions and races in North America have slowed down, and as a author, I’m all the time in search of the subsequent massive story to entertain our readers. I noticed that China had a number of marathons in early November, so I made a decision to seek for the phrase “marathon” in simplified Chinese language on the favored social media app Weibo.
Inside seconds, I noticed a put up of a person lighting a cigarette in the midst of the Xin’anjiang Marathon, gathering tons of of feedback and shares. On the time I believed it was humorous, however I had no thought what would come of it. I had the identical response as you (most likely) once you first learn the story. The idea of a runner smoking cigarettes throughout a marathon and operating nicely is hilarious and unimaginable. I needed to examine.
Chinese language man runs a 3:28 marathon whereas chain-smoking:https://t.co/HoYiXHQRNX pic.twitter.com/KxbbAExf1a
— Canadian Operating (@CanadianRunning) November 14, 2022
I found it wasn’t the primary time Uncle Chen had been lighting it up mid-marathon. I spent the day translating paperwork and outcomes from simplified Chinese language to English and located his title, earlier pictures and bodily outcomes of him smoking throughout races previous to the 2022 marathon. That’s once I knew we had one thing particular on our palms.
The aftermath
When the story was printed on Nov. 14, 2022, it started to make its rounds on Fb and Twitter and inside a day or two it was on each information web site you may consider: Enterprise Insider, Golf Digest, Barstool Sports activities, New York Put up, World Information and extra. I had a number of information companies contacting me to talk to Uncle Chen, who appeared to be bothered by the recognition his stunt acquired in North America.
I reached out to Chen and his niece. Chen didn’t reply, and his niece despatched us a message by way of translation that it was frowned upon to have this recognition in international media–that it was seen in China as setting a foul instance.
After 50-year-old marathoner Chen Bangxian went viral for chain-smoking his method by a November race, the Chinese language Athletic Affiliation issued a proposal on Monday that will require marathon runners to abide by no-smoking rules in public locations. pic.twitter.com/U6zWPIxIKb
— Sixth Tone (@SixthTone) December 8, 2022
Inside two weeks of the story being launched, the Chinese language Athletic Affiliation (C.A.A) issued a proposal recommending that each one Chinese language marathons ban smoking. The proposal was put in place to advertise wholesome participation and to cease folks from smoking at road-running occasions. The C.A.A. wrote that those that fail to adjust to the competitors guidelines needs to be disqualified.
The place is Uncle Chen now?
Uncle Chen has been flying beneath the radar since breaking the Web final yr, however to our information, he’s nonetheless very concerned in his native operating scene. Chen serves because the co-founder of the Zhejiang Xianju Street Operating Affiliation and the Zhejiang Provincial Marathon in his hometown of Taizhou Metropolis. Based on Chinese language media Nandu, Chen nonetheless likes to smoke and run, however it’s his private alternative to take action.
Native media reportedly tried to contact Uncle Chen a number of instances, however he has declined to speak about smoking or his marathons, hopes his fame will fade over time and didn’t wish to delay issues by talking about his accomplishment.
