Chinese marathon rocked by controversial moment of couple's affection

The incident unfolded before the race started last Sunday when a participant accidentally captured a couple behind him. In the video, a man dressed in pink, estimated to be around 50 years old, was seen putting his arm around a younger woman, engaging in intimate conversation and gestures.

However, upon noticing the camera, the man quickly withdrew his arm and became visibly uncomfortable. The woman also distanced herself, shifting the previously light-hearted mood into an awkward silence. The video quickly went viral on social media, igniting speculation about the nature of the relationship and drawing criticism over the apparent age gap and public display of affection.

A screenshot of a middle-aged man puts his arm around and acts intimately with a young woman at the Wuxi Marathon on March 23, 2025.

Tensions escalated when online rumors began circulating that the man in the video was Chen Lihao, the honorary chairman of tech firm Yuanguang Software. The rumor gained traction due to Chen’s known passion for marathon running and fitness. Accusations of an alleged extramarital affair soon followed, dragging Yuanguang Software into a storm of negative publicity and triggering fluctuations in the company's stock price, Mothership reported.

In response, Yuanguang Software issued an official statement on March 24, clarifying that Chen had been on a business trip in Guangdong at the time and could not have been at the marathon in Wuxi. The company emphasized that the man in the video was not Chen and warned it would pursue legal action against those spreading false claims.

Despite the denial, the rumor continued until a high-resolution comparison image surfaced online, clearly showing differences in facial features and teeth between the man in the video and Chen, ultimately dismissing the claim.

By March 25, the runner who originally posted the video had taken it down, expressing surprise at the backlash. He clarified that his intention was simply to share lighthearted moments from the event and that he had not anticipated the controversy.

The Wuxi Municipal Sports Bureau stated that the incident had no bearing on the organization of the marathon and refrained from further comment to respect the privacy of those involved. Organizers confirmed they would not intervene, as the situation did not impact the competition’s fairness or regulations.