The North Korean marathoner Ri Kang Bom (right) goes off course following broadcast truck's exit, loses race in last 200 meters in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong Province. Screenshot from Sina Weibo

With the finish line in sight, a North Korean runner who was leading a marathon in Dongguan, South China's Guangdong Province, inadvertently went off course allowing a Japanese runner to overtake him and win the race. 

The North Korean runner followed the broadcast vehicle, which exited the course 200 meters from the finish, creating another controversial finish to a road race organized by Wisdom Sports Group.

Ri Kang Bom was leading by only a few dozen meters when he strayed off course. That allowed Japanese runner Daichi  Kamino to catch up and pass Ri on route to the finish line. 

A report posted on China's social media by thepaper.cn, includes photos of a disbelieving Ri with his hands on his head shortly after finishing second. 

The race held on Sunday was the 17th running of the Asian Marathon Championship. Critical netizens recalled how a 2018 marathon promoted by Wisdom Sport was also botched when a Chinese runner approaching the finish line was required to take a Chinese flag on a stick, disrupting her pace and costing her the championship.

Global Times