Chinese runner accused of hiring pacer to win championship

China Kenyan runner Willy Mnangat revealed he was appointed as a pacer to help athlete He Jie win the 2024 Beijing half marathon and break the national record.

He Jie (red shirt) runs ahead of a group of three African athletes as they prepare to finish first in the Beijing half marathon on April 14. Photo: *Reuters*

He Jie's victory in the Beijing half marathon on April 14 by one second over the runner-up is causing great controversy in China.

A video clip has been circulating on social media showing two Kenyan athletes, Robert Keter, Willy Mnangat, and Ethiopian athlete Dejene Hailu, along with Jie, approaching the finish line. The three African runners pointed towards the finish line, waved for Jie to move forward, and then slowed down, allowing the home athlete to cross the finish line first.

When asked about the incident on April 15, Mnangat said he let Jie pass because "they were friends". But just six hours later, the Kenyan runner revealed that he and three other athletes were hired as pacers to help He Jie break the Chinese half marathon record - 1 hour 2 minutes 33 seconds. In fact, He Jie won, but could not break the record, with a time of 1 hour 3 minutes 51 seconds.

"I entered the race as a pacer. My boss told me to come here, and be a pacer to help He Jie break the Chinese national record," Mnangat told the SCMP . "When I was preparing to apply for my visa, my agent from Kenya also told me that I would go to China to help the host runner break the national record."

But after repeated requests, Mnangat still could not prove that he was hired as a pacer and did not compete in the 2024 Beijing half marathon as a competitor.

Three African athletes give way to Chinese runners to win — The moment the three-legged African runner gave way to He Jie to take first place.

SCMP was unable to contact Bikila and Keter, but did contact one of Mnangat’s representatives, a Chinese man named Karen Lin, who represents 29 Kenyan athletes. In a brief conversation, Lin denied any involvement and accused reporters of harassment.

The official race results from the 2024 Beijing Half Marathon show Bikila, Keter and Mnangat finishing second, third and fourth respectively. And all three African runners were counted as competitors, not pacers.

Previously, when the organizers of the 2024 Beijing Half Marathon announced the official list of pacers on April 8, Mnangat, Keter, and Bikila were not named. All pacers are Chinese and are tasked with leading the pace from 130 to 310 minutes.

At the 2023 Beijing Half Marathon, elite pacers will be given their own bibs. Hiring a personal pacer to compete will be considered illegal. The race website also said that pacers will be provided with clothing from sponsor Xtep that says "Pacer" on the front and back. He Jie is also the face of Xtep.

During a live chat with fans on April 15, He Jie said he was just a "victim" in this incident. The Chinese athlete also affirmed that he is professional and does not need the recent championship to prove himself. "I don't think I need to explain too much. Thank you for your understanding and support, but I received a lot of negative comments and private messages, which really confused me," He Jie said.

He Jie and African runners wearing Xtep white shirts on the Beijing half marathon course on April 14. Photo: Xinhua — He Jie and African runners wearing Xtep white shirts on the Beijing half marathon course on April 14. Photo: *Xinhua*

The April 14 incident forced the Beijing Sports Bureau to launch an investigation. The tournament organizer, the Beijing Sports Competition Administration and International Exchange Center, also launched another investigation to clarify the situation.

He Jie is China's top marathoner. Last year, he made history by winning the 19th Asian Games in 2 hours 13 minutes 2 seconds and helping China win its first gold medal in the 42.195 km race at the Asian Games. Also in 2023, Jie will win the 2023 Wuhan Marathon in 2 hours 12 minutes 35 seconds.

Last month, Jie finished fourth at the 2024 Wuxi Marathon in 2 hours, 6 minutes, 57 seconds, setting a new Chinese marathon record. He is also the first Chinese marathon runner to break the 2 hour, 6 minute mark. This achievement makes Jie likely to represent China at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

He Jie was happy to finish ahead of the group of three African athletes on April 14. Photo: Xinhua

Long-distance races have exploded in China in recent years. However, many races have been plagued by cheating and poor organization. At the 2018 Shenzhen Half Marathon in Guangdong Province, 258 runners were caught cheating, many of them taking shortcuts.

In 2019, a woman was caught using a bicycle during the Xuzhou International Marathon in eastern China's Jiangsu Province. Organizers asked her to get off her bike and return to the starting point.

Hong Duy

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