Runners in Shenzhen Half-Marathon caught cheating by traffic cameras

Three imposters were also uncovered while 18 participants were found to be wearing fake bibs

Runners in action during the Shenzhen Half-Marathon (Getty)

Almost 250 runners in the Shenzhen Half-Marathon were caught cheating after traffic cameras captured them taking shortcuts through bushes.

Three imposters were also uncovered while 18 participants were found to be wearing fake bibs. They now face lifetime bans from the event, while those caught taking shortcuts could be banned for two years.

“We deeply regret the violations that occurred during the event. Marathon running is not simply exercise, it is a metaphor for life, and every runner is responsible for him or herself,” organisers said.

A total of 237 runners were caught on camera cutting through bushes to an adjacent carriageway, instead of continuing along the road and making a U-turn. Organisers say they would have run two or three kilometres less than the full 21-kilometre (13.1-mile) distance.

The annual race in China’s fourth largest city typically attracts about 16,000 runners.

News of the cheating has caused outrage in China, prompting the People’s Daily to urge runners to “respect the marathon and respect sporting spirit” in an editorial.

A sharp rise in the number of events in recent years and mass participation has also been blamed for the problem.

China has held 1,072 marathons and road races this year, up from 22 in 2011, according to figures from the Chinese Athletics Association.

Additional reporting by agencies