A father in China has received widespread criticism and a three-year ban from the Chinese Athletics Association after allowing his nine-year-old daughter to run the 2024 Wuyuan Marathon in Jiangxi, China, on Dec 1.
According to the race organizers, the father initially registered for the marathon and ran three-quarters of the 42.2-kilometre race alongside his daughter. However, at the 38-kilometre mark, he became too tired to continue. Rather than withdrawing entirely, he unpinned his bib, put it on his nine-year-old daughter and urged her to finish the race in his place. Race officials allegedly attempted to intervene, but the father, now in a sweeper vehicle, interfered, which allowed his daughter to complete the final four kilometres.
Post-race reaction
A video of the young runner shortly emerged on TikTok, showing her at the back of the mass field. The video was barraged with comments, many condemning the father for endangering his daughter’s health. There are numerous risks associated with allowing a child to run a long-distance race, including potential long-term physical harm to her joints and growth plates.’
Officials of the Wuyuan Marathon annulled the father’s result and banned him from participating in any future events. He was also reported to the Chinese Athletics Association, where he received further disciplinary action—a three-year ban from participating in any road races. The rules state that bib numbers cannot be transferred or shared and that only registered participants meeting the marathon age requirement of 18 are allowed to compete. The father violated both rules.
The father’s defence
In a statement to the South China Morning Post, the father apologized for his actions, acknowledging that transferring his bib to his daughter was wrong and against the rules, but he did not deny any wrongdoing in letting his child run. “My child has been running regularly for three years,” he said. “We did a lot of preparation before the race and sought advice from our coach and doctor.”
