The world's unhealthiest marathon? - The Paradox of Air Quality in China

"The 2014 Beijing International Marathon went ahead, despite heavy pollution blanketing the Chinese capital on Sunday.

The Beijing Marathon, now 34 years old, is regarded as something of a festival for international marathon runners.

But this year the runners faced not just the race itself but the challenge of heavy smog.

Many runners prepared themselves with face masks, and some said they had to wear them during the race to reduce the risk posed by the hazardous atmospheric conditions.

About 30-thousand runners registered for the event, with almost half coming to China from overseas.

The race began in Tiananmen Square and finished in Beijing's Olympic Park, with buildings across the city disappearing into a grey-tinged mist."

Jeez, it's a wonder none of the runners passed out due to lack of oxygen.

a reply to: AlephBet

When I see things like this it makes me wish the day ~1,000,000,000 Chinese peasants decided to rise up against the abject rape of their nation at the hands of the ruling party was planned for tomorrow.

They deserve better and it will happen eventually.