China News Service, Chongqing, March 24 (Liang Qinqing) The 2024 Changan Automobile Chongqing Marathon started with a gunshot in Nan'an District, Chongqing on the 24th. 30,000 contestants from 426 cities in 26 countries and regions around the world participated. Athletes from Kenya and Tanzania won the championships in the men's and women's events respectively and broke the competition record.
On March 24, the 2024 Changan Automobile Chongqing Marathon started with a gunshot in Nan'an District, Chongqing. The picture shows Kenyan player Yosfat Kiptu Boyet crossing the line. Photo by Guo Xu
On the same day, Kenyan athlete Yosfat Kiptu Boyit crossed the finish line first in 2 hours, 7 minutes and 52 seconds, breaking the men's record of 2 hours, 9 minutes and 49 seconds set by Ethiopian athletes in 2017. record. The women's championship was won by Tanzania's Jacklin Juma Sakiru. Her time of 2 hours, 21 minutes and 26 seconds broke the competition record of 2 hours, 22 minutes and 41 seconds set by a Chinese athlete in 2012.
This year's Chongqing Marathon is full of regional characteristics. Runners started from Haitang Yanyu Park. The race route ran along the Yangtze River, passing through landmarks such as the Memorial Hall for the Southward Relocation of Cultural Relics from the Forbidden City, Ciyun Temple, and Chaotianmen Bridge. There are 170,000 pre-registrations for this event, of which more than 150,000 have registered for the marathon. The winning rate is 3.98%. Both the number of applicants and the winning rate have reached the highest level in the history of Chongqing Marathon.
On March 24, the 2024 Changan Automobile Chongqing Marathon started with a gunshot in Nan'an District, Chongqing. Photo by China News Service reporter He Penglai
There is a special group in this Chongqing Marathon, the "Dark Running Group" formed by blind runners. Yu Chun is one of the blind runners. In his second full marathon, he set a new personal best time of 4 hours, 18 minutes and 16 seconds. He told reporters that each blind runner is accompanied by four volunteers throughout the run. Two volunteers are on the left and right to ensure the safety of the runners. One volunteer guides the runners forward with a protective rope in front, and another volunteer is in charge. Send supplies. "I hope that in this way, more people can see the new look of blind people in China."
It is reported that the Chongqing Marathon, as the first all-marathon event in western China, has gone through more than ten years since its inception in 2011 and has become one of the four major marathon events in China, alongside the Beijing, Wuhan and Guangzhou marathons. The Chongqing Marathon is also praised by runners as the most beautiful marathon track in China and the PB (personal best) track because of its flat track and beautiful scenery. (over)