There’s a Simple Explanation Why Three Runners From Kenya and Ethiopia Allowed a Chinese National to Win the Beijing Half Marathon

Three runners from Kenya and Ethiopia said they were hired to serve as pacesetters for He Jie, who won the Beijing Half Marathon. Photo by Cui Nan / cnsphoto / Imaginechina via AFP

The organizers of the Beijing half marathon said Monday they were investigating after footage, shared widely online, appeared to show three African runners deliberately allowing China’s He Jie to win.

Video clips of Sunday’s race showed the Kenyans, Robert Keter and Willy Mnangat, Ethiopia’s Dejene Hailu, and home runner He approaching the finish.

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by Eric Olander

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