Last Sunday, 29th November, Nanjing hosted its first marathon race at the Olympic Centre.
The Nanjing International Marathon, which started from the Olympia and toured the Ming Dynasty City Wall, Qinhuai River, Stone City and Jinghai Temple, covered a total of 42.195 kilometres. There were also a half-marathon, a 5-kilometre-mini-run and fun run for parents and kids.
“It’s so lively,” said ZhangXiao, 26, who has worked as a finance assistant for a year. “I seldom have chance to exercise since I started working. So I signed up for the mini-run this time”. She asked her friend to take a photo of her sporting the hot pink sports T-shirt the Marathon Organizer distributed, with her number sheet pinned upon it.
According to official statistics, 16,000 runners representing over 20 countries took part in Sunday’s race, while a group of 24 elite runners from Britain, France, Spain, Germany, Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Morocco, were invited to participate. The top three prizes went to Maswai from Kenya with a record of 2:11’44”, Tilahun from Ethiopia for 2:11’51”, and Biwott from Kenya for 2:12’09”.
However, it put no pressure on other ordinary runners. Some people even came in costumes, dressing as classical characters from films and cartoons; receiving warm cheers from spectators. Post Marathon, people posted their photos of medals, sportswear and GPS route pattern, tagged with “Nanjing Marathon”, on their social media accounts as souvenirs. The Nanjing Marathon story has received over 16,000,000 reads so far on Sina Weibo.
Although the race enjoyed a good reputation among runners, local paper Yangzi Daily questioned its arrangements of the date, the route, the organization and the preparation work, saying it still needs improvements to become “classic”.
In the coming 3 to 5 years, the Nanjing International Marathon will try to make itself into a name card for the city of Nanjing in its post Youth Olympic time, announced the race organizer.
