Hong Kong marathon runner disqualified after carrying baby mid-race sparks safety outrage
A Hong Kong marathon runner was disqualified after being filmed carrying a baby during the race, sparking public outrage. Organisers cited safety concerns, saying the man violated race rules and was forced to leave the course immediately.
- A Hong Kong marathon runner was disqualified after being filmed running with a baby strapped to his chest, sparking public outrage over safety risks.
- Organisers said officials stopped the runner mid-race for violating rules that ban infants and unauthorised individuals from the course.
A runner in a Hong Kong marathon has sparked widespread outrage after he was filmed carrying a baby during the race, prompting officials to disqualify him and order him to stop over safety concerns.
Footage circulating online shows the man running with an infant strapped to his chest, as other runners look on in apparent disbelief.
The runner’s race bib was pinned directly onto the baby’s pink windbreaker, while the infant’s head can be seen bobbing up and down as he continued along the course.
According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the video was recorded by a fellow participant along the West Kowloon Highway, between the 5km and 10km markers of the full marathon route.
The footage quickly spread on social media, drawing sharp criticism from netizens who expressed alarm over the risks posed to the child during a high-impact endurance event.
The Hong Kong, China Association of Athletics Affiliates (HKAAA), which organises the marathon, confirmed that race officials intervened during Sunday’s event.
Officials requested the runner to retire and leave the course immediately to ensure safety, SCMP reported.
The HKAAA said any participant found violating official race rules would be required to stop racing and leave the course at once, resulting in disqualification.
It added that organisers reserve the right to bar such individuals from participating in future races, and reminded runners to adhere strictly to competition rules and avoid actions that could endanger themselves or others.
Live-tracking data showed that the man started the full marathon at 6.25am and had already covered about 15km in two hours and 20 minutes before officials intervened. He did not complete the 42km race.
Under race regulations, participants are prohibited from bringing infants, anyone under the age of 16, or individuals without a valid 2026 race bib onto the course.
Violators face immediate removal, disqualification and potential bans from future events.
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