This Chinese shepherd has been hailed a hero for saving six runners in an ultramarathon race during which 21 died.
The shepherd, Zhu Keming, said he was grazing his sheep in the north province of Gansu when rain started pouring and the temperatures reduced.
All of a sudden, the weather changed drastically and caught out the runners in a 60 mile, cross-country race.
He decided to hid inside a cave and stored food and clothes there. However, while inside, he spotted a runner.
Shepherd Braves Freezing Temperatures to Save Runners
According to the statements of the shepherd, he escorted this runner into the cave and massaged his feet and hands and also lit a fire to dry his clothes.
Four other distressed runners also made it into the cave and explained to the shepherd that there were others outside, some even unconscious.
Keming immediately went out to search for them, braving the hail and the low temperatures.
He found another runner, Zhang Xiaotao who said that he’s very grateful to this man who saved him because without him, he would’ve been left out there.
Zhu also rescued other three men and three women and told the reporters he was just an ordinary person who did an ordinary thing. Unfortunately, some people couldn’t be saved-two were lifeless and he was unable to do anything and said he’s sorry.
The Race Was Described as Controversial
The race has been called controversial and caused a lot of outrage in China after the organizers ignored the warnings for extreme weather.
The marathon was ceased and a massive rescue operation was launched after the report of around 172 runners missing.
Stranded runners were reportedly hypothermic and lost their way back to the route because of the extreme rain that reduced the visibility.
Liang Jing, one of the most accomplished ultramarathoners of China was among the 21 competitors who lost their lives. He was photographed in the start of the race, wearing nothing but shorts, a thin jacket, and a baseball cap.
This 31-year-old ultra marathoner won a lot of long-distance races in China, including the 2018 Ultra Gobi which was a 400 km race in the Gobi dessert.
The surviving marathoners said that the forecast indicated some rain and wind, but nothing as extreme as what really happened.
People on social media expressed their anger with the local government in Baiyin city and were not satisfied with the contingency plan.
Sources: