This is one you don't see every day.
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Winning a marathon is supposed to be simple at the end. Hit the tape, stop the clock, take the photo. Chongqing Wanzhou Marathon had other ideas.
Men's winner Xueji Sheng was closing in on the finish with a personal best in sight when things went sideways. An official stepped in and blocked him at the line, apparently thinking he was part of the half-marathon field.
That's a problem.
Instead of breaking the tape, Sheng got redirected into the wrong chute. You can see him pushing back, trying to explain. Marathon officials weren't having it. At least not right away.
The crazy ref at Chongqing Wanzhou Huanhu Marathon 2026 finish line. pic.twitter.com/arh4FkbH9w
— Weng Da (@absolutchina) March 16, 2026
So the race winner... didn't finish. Not officially.
Eventually, organizers realized the mistake and brought him back to the line. Yes, back. Sheng was asked to re-stage his finish for photos and video, which is about as awkward as it sounds. The clock read 2:24:18 when he finally crossed.
That wasn't the real time.
After sorting it out, officials corrected his result to 2:23:53, giving him the win and a new personal best. That part matters.
Still, it's a strange scene. Sprint to the finish. Get stopped. Argue your case. Then go back and do it again for the cameras.
Only in racing.
