Legal concerns over runners' health-risk disclaimer

The health risk disclaimer Beijing Marathon competitors must sign taking responsibility for any accident caused by previous health issues may not stand up in a Chinese court, it was revealed yesterday.

Legal affairs expert Qiu Baochang said the agreement may not be protected by Chinese law even though it detailed potential problems, such as age, high-blood pressure and previous heart troubles.

"The drug dealer cannot avoid their responsibilities just because they told the drug buyer that it's dangerous to take a drug," said Qiu, who is consumer protection department director at the Beijing Bar Association and director of Beijing Huijia Law Firm.