This is the fifth in a continuing series on marathon mishaps.
Some used public transportation. Others had faster runners race in their place.
Did these dishonest runners hope to set a record, or claim a cash prize? No. They wanted to get an education.
If they run a marathon in good time, students can earn extra points for the “‘gaokao”, the entrance examination for China’s highly competitive universities that some children and their parents will go to huge lengths to shine in.
With 50,000 participants, the 200 race officials had a hard time keeping track of everybody. Only later review of photos and video from the race revealed the students’ tricks.
Other students have been caught cheating on the entrance exam itself.
(via RunNow)