A participant in the recent Hong Kong Marathon has been disqualified from the event and faces a potential ban from future races after a video widely circulated online depicted him running a significant portion of the course while carrying an infant. The incident, which reportedly occurred during the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon on January 18, 2026, sparked widespread concern and criticism regarding the safety of the baby.
The video footage, quickly shared across various social media platforms, showed the male runner navigating the marathon route, specifically along the West Kowloon Expressway between the 5 and 10-kilometer marks, with a baby strapped to his chest in a pink carrier. Other runners in the vicinity were visibly surprised, often glancing at the unusual sight as they passed. The runner’s official bib number was prominently displayed on the baby carrier itself. Observers noted the baby’s head moving with the rhythm of the man’s stride, further fueling worries about the infant’s well-being during such a strenuous activity.
The public reaction was swift and strong, with many expressing alarm and condemnation over the potential risks posed to the child. Following the rapid explosion of interest and concern surrounding the footage, the organizers of the Hong Kong Marathon, the China-Hong Kong Athletic Federation (HKAAA), took immediate action. They confirmed that the runner was intercepted and stopped approximately 15 kilometers into the 42-kilometer race, after running for an estimated two hours and twenty minutes from his 6:25 AM start time. He was then instructed to leave the course.
In addition to the immediate disqualification, the individual is now subject to a potential ban from participating in other marathon events in the future, as organizers emphasize the paramount importance of participant safety and adherence to race regulations.
