China News Service, Tongren, Guizhou, March 31 (Zhou Yanling) With the sound of the starting gun, the 2024 Tongren Fanjingshan Spring Marathon in Guizhou officially started on the 31st. Nearly 10,000 runners walked along the beautiful Jinjiang River in Tongren, the first marathon in China. The fully enclosed smart marathon track staged "speed and passion".
The 2024 Guizhou Tongren Fanjingshan Spring Marathon started on the 31st. The picture shows the half-marathon men's champion crossing the line. (Photo courtesy of Tongren Media Center)
The Fanjingshan Spring Marathon is divided into three categories: full marathon, half marathon and fun run, with runners from more than 10 countries and regions participating.
Deng Lizhang from Singapore is a travel enthusiast. He has been to China many times, traveling and running at the same time. "I really want to travel to Mount Fanjing. I will take this opportunity to travel and run at the same time."
The picture shows the scene of the 2024 Tongren Fanjingshan Spring Marathon in Guizhou. (Photo courtesy of Tongren Media Center)
Young runner Fan Lili started running marathons 8 years ago and has participated in more than 40 marathons in many cities. For her, a race is a trip. She just finished participating in the Chongqing Marathon last weekend, and this weekend she will come to Guizhou to start a trip to Tongren with "delicious food, fun and running".
The reporter saw at the scene that the contestants were running on the track, not only enjoying the unique scenery of mountains, rivers, and farmhouse smoke curling along the way, but also feeling the enthusiastic cheering of the villagers and performance teams along the way.
After the race, many runners said that although the race was over, their schedules were not yet complete and they would also go to climb Fanjing Mountain to experience the beautiful spring scenery.
The picture shows Fanjing Mountain in Tongren, Guizhou. Photo by Li He
On the same day, in addition to the Fanjingshan Spring Marathon, Zhengkai Marathon, Shijiazhuang Marathon, Jingzhou Marathon and other events started at the same time. This weekend can also be called an ultra-marathon weekend.
While professional athletes push their limits and mass athletes keep fit, the fiery marathon events also ignite the urban sports economy. Just the night before the Fanjingshan Spring Marathon started, the local government carefully prepared a carnival night for runners in the ancient city of Tongren Zhongnanmen, including a long table banquet, a dragon dance performance, a parade in national costumes and other activities. Runners can not only experience the passion of sports competition, but also have an in-depth understanding of Tongren's customs and customs.
On the evening of March 30, Tongren, Guizhou held the Fanjingshan Marathon Carnival Night in the Zhongnanmen Ancient City. (Photo provided by Tongren Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department)
On the carnival night, the hottest program is undoubtedly the bonfire party. When the flames of the bonfire jumped in the night sky, runners from all over the country and the world also got excited. Accompanied by fast-paced music, the runners danced to their heart's content, and the square of Zhongnanmen Ancient City was transformed. It is a large-scale "disco scene".
On the evening of March 30, Tongren, Guizhou held the Fanjingshan Marathon Carnival Night in the Zhongnanmen Ancient City. (Photo provided by Tongren Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department)
The variety of marathon events not only drives urban economic growth, but also attracts more runners. Data shows that the number of marathons and related road running events in China has increased from 51 in 2014 to 1,828 in 2019. In 2023, China will host a total of 580 road running events throughout the year, with a total of 5.5 million participants.
According to Deng Xiaohai, deputy director of the Guizhou Tourism Development Research Center of the Guizhou Academy of Social Sciences, "horse racing" is also "city running". Marathon and tourism are inseparable. Marathon cities can introduce relevant preferential policies for scenic spots and hold various special activities at the same time. etc., so that the "flow" of the marathon can be transformed into the "retention" of the economy, and drive the "accelerated" development of the integration of sports and tourism. (over)