It’s been a 12 months since Canadian Operating broke the story of Uncle Chen, who ran a 3:28 marathon whereas chain-smoking cigarettes. To have fun the anniversary, right here’s some behind-the-scenes info on how the story happened, the aftermath, and the place Uncle Chen is now.

The way it happened

Often, come November to January within the operating season, occasions and races in North America have slowed down, and as a author, I’m at all times in search of the subsequent huge story to entertain our readers. I noticed that China had a couple of marathons in early November, so I made a decision to seek for the phrase “marathon” in simplified Chinese language on the favored social media app Weibo.

Inside seconds, I noticed a publish of a person lighting a cigarette in the course of the Xin’anjiang Marathon, gathering tons of of feedback and shares. On the time I assumed it was humorous, however I had no thought what would come of it. I had the identical response as you (most likely) once you first learn the story. The idea of a runner smoking cigarettes throughout a marathon and operating properly is hilarious and unbelievable. I needed to examine.

Chinese language man runs a 3:28 marathon whereas chain-smoking:https://t.co/HoYiXHQRNX pic.twitter.com/KxbbAExf1a

— Canadian Operating (@CanadianRunning) November 14, 2022

I found it wasn’t the primary time Uncle Chen had been lighting it up mid-marathon. I spent the day translating paperwork and outcomes from simplified Chinese language to English and located his title, earlier images and bodily outcomes of him smoking throughout races previous to the 2022 marathon. That’s after I knew we had one thing particular on our palms.

The aftermath

When the story was printed on Nov. 14, 2022, it started to make its rounds on Fb and Twitter and inside a day or two it was on each information web site you possibly can consider: Enterprise Insider, Golf Digest, Barstool Sports activities, New York Put up, World Information and extra. I had a number of information companies contacting me to talk to Uncle Chen, who gave the impression to be bothered by the recognition his stunt bought in North America.

I reached out to Chen and his niece. Chen didn’t reply, and his niece despatched us a message by way of translation that it was frowned upon to have this recognition in overseas media–that it was seen in China as setting a nasty instance.

After 50-year-old marathoner Chen Bangxian went viral for chain-smoking his approach by way of a November race, the Chinese language Athletic Affiliation issued a proposal on Monday that may require marathon runners to abide by no-smoking laws in public locations. pic.twitter.com/U6zWPIxIKb

— Sixth Tone (@SixthTone) December 8, 2022

Inside two weeks of the story being launched, the Chinese language Athletic Affiliation (C.A.A) issued a proposal recommending that every one Chinese language marathons ban smoking. The proposal was put in place to advertise wholesome participation and to cease folks from smoking at road-running occasions. The C.A.A. wrote that those that fail to adjust to the competitors guidelines needs to be disqualified.

The place is Uncle Chen now?

Uncle Chen has been flying underneath the radar since breaking the Web final 12 months, however to our information, he’s nonetheless very concerned in his native operating scene. Chen serves because the co-founder of the Zhejiang Xianju Highway Operating Affiliation and the Zhejiang Provincial Marathon in his hometown of Taizhou Metropolis. Based on Chinese language media Nandu, Chen nonetheless likes to smoke and run, however it’s his private selection to take action.

Native media reportedly tried to contact Uncle Chen a number of instances, however he has declined to speak about smoking or his marathons, hopes his fame will fade over time and didn’t need to delay issues by talking about his accomplishment.