Runners 'give up' on Beijing marathon due to intense smog

Running a marathon is hard enough — but try running one while wearing a particle-filtering surgical mask. That's what many runners resorted to on Sunday at the Beijing Marathon, where thick smog made the air quality "hazardous," according to the U.S. Embassy.

Though the race was still held as scheduled, many runners were forced to abandon it midway due to the subpar conditions, according to People's Daily China. --Jon Terbush

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