Field notes

Marathon fever hots up in China

Number of runners outpaces race spots available in this multibillion-dollar industry. But cheating scandals are a blot.

Mr Paul Mui (front row, in yellow), originally from Hong Kong, is the founder of the running group Lao Mei - which means "Old Mr Mui" - in Shanghai. Pao tuan, or running groups, in China play a big part in spreading the popularity of the sport. They
Mr Paul Mui (front row, in yellow), originally from Hong Kong, is the founder of the running group Lao Mei - which means "Old Mr Mui" - in Shanghai. Pao tuan, or running groups, in China play a big part in spreading the popularity of the sport. They are usually informal interest groups, unlike running clubs overseas that tend to be more professional. PHOTO: LAO MEI RUNNING GROUP PHOTO: COURTESY OF SUMMER LI
Mr Paul Mui (front row, in yellow), originally from Hong Kong, is the founder of the running group Lao Mei - which means "Old Mr Mui" - in Shanghai. Pao tuan, or running groups, in China play a big part in spreading the popularity of the sport. They
Shanghai native Summer Li at the Singapore Marathon in December. Ms Li has taken part in many overseas marathons and, for the second half of last year, she averaged one race a month in a foreign city. PHOTO: LAO MEI RUNNING GROUP PHOTO: COURTESY OF SUMMER LI
Chong Koh Ping
Business Correspondent
Updated
Feb 02, 2019, 06:49 AM
Published
Feb 02, 2019, 05:00 AM
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When Shanghai native Summer Li, 36, was in university, she didn't exercise much but was made to run a 5km stretch of the Shanghai Marathon in 2003. It was scheduled to be part of a live broadcast but there were not enough participants.

"Now, it's basically impossible to enter (the race)," said Ms Li, who works as a sales manager for a German multinational in Shanghai.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on February 02, 2019, with the headline Marathon fever hots up in China. Subscribe

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