Hong Kong Marathon: organisers may call in police over illegal runner’s YouTube race stunt
- Lau Chun-hin, who goes by the alias Carriage Lau on social media, took part in Sunday’s race despite not officially entering
- Lau broadcast live for more than two hours during the event and even picked up a medal at the end
Despite not wearing an official race bib, Lau Chun-hin, who goes by the alias Carriage Lau on social media and has spent time in jail in Hong Kong and in mainland China for a string of offences, got into the starting area in Tsim Sha Tsui ahead of the half-marathon on Sunday morning.
The 26-year-old broadcast live on his YouTube channel revealing he was not registered for the race, although in an interview with local media afterwards he claimed to have taken the place of a friend who was feeling unwell.
A second live broadcast lasting two hours and 16 minutes showed Lau running inside the Western Harbour Crossing and then arriving at the finish line at Victoria Park, where he was given a finishers’ medal by volunteers.
During the second broadcast, Lau said he knew he ran the risk of being arrested, but was doing it because “I really love running”.
The event’s rules stipulate that only runners with official bib numbers are allowed on the route, but Dennis Ng, executive director of Hong Kong Association of Athletics Affiliates, said it would be impossible to secure the whole course, which takes runners across the city.
