Chinese Court imposes jail sentences on organisers of ultramarathon in which 21 competitors died

Seven people involved in the organisation of mountain marathon cross-country race in north-west China in 2021 during which 21 runners died in extreme weather conditions have been handed prison terms for their roles.

As reported by Chinese state news agency Xinhua on Friday, five individuals involved in planning the ill-fated Yellow River Stone Forest ultramarathon event were given jail terms ranging from three to five and a half years by a Court in Baiyin, a prefecture-level city in northeastern Gansu province.

In May 2021, the 100 kilometre cross-country mountain race turned deadly as freezing rain, high winds and hail hit the competitors.

Xinhua advised that the five defendants were convicted for “organising a large-scale event that led to a significant safety incident.”

In the provincial capital, Lanzhou, another official was sentenced to four years and 10 months for “dereliction of duty and bribery”, while another received a term of three and a half years for “dereliction of duty”.

Long-distance running and other extreme sports have been booming in China in recent years, as the Chinese Government promotes exercise for all ages, although Agence France-Presse reports that slipshod organisation has repeatedly caused problems.

The 2021 deaths raised questions over why organisers apparently ignored the incoming extreme weather and led to renewed calls for tighter laws surrounding sporting events.

After the deaths, China’s sport ministry announced that events without national safety standards would be suspended, including mountain trail running, wingsuit flying and ultra-long distance running.

Reports shortly after the incident indicated that the company organising the race used a temporarily hired executive team, as it had no formal employees for whom it paid social benefits. 

The team were apparently not formal employees of the company but had been  introduced by friends or invited to work for the race.
With Agence France-Presse.

Image: Competitors at the start of the Yellow River Stone Forest 2021 ultramarathon. Credit: Xinhua.