Marathoners in Beijing go maskless, unfazed by smog

Runners undeterred by thick smog engulfing the Chinese capital ran the Beijing Marathon maskless on Sunday, many wearing shorts in one of the warmest Octobers on record.
Despite a greyish brown smog settling, some 30,000 marathoners set off at 7:30 a.m. from Tiananmen Square on the route through four districts of the Chinese capital over 42km.
Beijing was the fourth most-polluted major city in the world on Sunday, according to Swiss air-quality technology firm IQAir.
In the Haidian district on Beijing’s outskirts, the sky looked dreary, but hikers and visitors showed up at the Fragrant Hills Park where many go to enjoy autumn foliage.
China’s national forecaster advised the public to wear masks, warning on Sunday morning of low visibility in the capital and neighbouring regions, with air quality reaching moderate or severe pollution.