Chinese man ‘runs marathon in just three and a half hours despite chain smoking for the entire race’

Marathon runners are regarded as some of the most health-conscious athletes on the planet – but not a Chinese runner known as ‘Uncle Chen’, who has gone viral for chain-smoking cigarettes while he competes.

Chen, aged 50, recently completed the Xin’anjiang Marathon in Jiande, China while smoking throughout the 42-kilometre endurance event.

Chen has a history of smoking while running, according to Canadian Running Magazine. He ran both the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon and the 2019 Xiamen Marathon while lighting up

Photos of the Guangzhou man went viral on a Chinese social media app – and event organisers shared his finishing certificate afterwards.

Chen finished 574th in the race overall, with an impressive time of 3:28:45 out of nearly 1,500 runners.

The Chinese sensation has a history of smoking while running, according to Canadian Running Magazine, which reported that he ran both the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon and the 2019 Xiamen Marathon while lighting up.

In 2018, Chen clocked a time of 3:36, and ran 3:32 in 2019.

There’ is also evidence online that he runs ultramarathons too, with one spanning 50km and another lasting 12 hours

There is also evidence online that he runs ultramarathons too, with one spanning 50km and another lasting 12 hours.

Chen also apparently became known as ‘Smoking Brother’ in running circles after a 2017 event in Hangzhou city.

Reactions to the incredible athlete have been mixed – with some people saluting his abilities, while others think he sets a bad example.

‘There goes my hero. Watch him as he smokes,’ wrote one Instagram user.

‘Imagine being stuck behind him the whole race,’ said another.

‘So this is what peak performance looks like,’ joked a third. 

There are currently no rules prohibiting marathon runners from smoking cigarettes while they compete.