The organizers of the Beijing half marathon are investigating allegations that three African athletes deliberately allowed Chinese star He Jie to win the race which took place on Sunday. Videos have quickly multiplied on social media and online showing the Kenyans Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat and the Ethiopian Dejene Hailu slowing down a few meters from the finish line, allowing their rival to win.
Mnangat gave his version to BBC Sport Africa, explaining that the trio ran as “pacemakers”. The pacemaker helps thousands of marathon runners to bring them to the finish line in the pre-established time, dispense advice, provide security, dictate the pace in a constant manner. A bit like what the “hare” does in speed races on the track. The Kenyan said four runners had been hired to help He break the Chinese half marathon record of one hour, two minutes and 33 seconds, and that one of them did not finish the race. However, the 25-year-old Chinese missed out on the record, stopping the clock at 1:03:44. One second ahead of the African trio, joint second.
“I wasn’t there to compete,” Mnangat said. “It wasn’t a competitive race for me.” A spokesperson for the Beijing Sports Bureau told AFP they were investigating the incident, adding: “We will announce the results to the public as soon as they are available.” Xstep, a Chinese sports brand that sponsored the event and has a contract with He, told Chinese state news agency The Paper: “The situation is still being confirmed and verified by multiple parties. Further information will be communicated as soon as possible”.
Mnangat added: “I don’t know why they put my name on the bib instead of labeling me as a pacemaker. My job was to set the pace and help the guy win, but unfortunately he didn’t achieve the goal, which was to break the national record”. None of the other riders have yet commented on the incident. China’s He won gold in the marathon at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games and is already the national record holder in the marathon.