The Beijing Marathon, which started at the iconic Tian’anmen Square in downtown Beijing, saw an impressive 30,000 participants this year. Despite over 130,000 registrations, only a fraction got selected through a lucky draw to run the challenging 42.195-kilometer distance. The Beijing Marathon, starting in 1981, is China’s oldest marathon and takes runners through a scenic route that showcases both ancient and modern landmarks.
Chen Tianyu, a Chinese athlete, displayed commendable prowess, finishing seventh with a time of 2:08:11, narrowly missing a qualifying time for the Paris Olympics by just one second. His time was a mere second short of the domestic record set by Ren Longyun in 2007, solidifying him as the third-fastest Chinese runner ever. Despite facing fierce competition, primarily from elite African runners, Chen managed to make a significant mark. The winner of the marathon, Geleta Ulfata of Ethiopia, finished with a time of 2:07:41. After the race, Chen expressed his contentment, stating that he had initially aimed to finish under 2 hours and 10 minutes. He credited the improved racecourse, with fewer turns and slopes, for his impressive timing.
Simultaneously, other Chinese provincial capitals like Xi’an, Ji’nan, Zhengzhou, Changsha, and Chengdu also held their own marathon events. The growing enthusiasm for marathons in China is undeniable. Data from the Chinese Athletics Association reveals a surge in marathon events, from 278 in 2018 to 330 in 2019. Though there was a sharp decline in 2020, possibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s a visible rebound in interest.
Alessio Punzi from World Athletics noted that 68 Chinese running events sought applications in 2023. For those who couldn’t participate in the Beijing Marathon, an online race was organized through the fitness tracking site Keep, which garnered nearly 30,000 registrations.
China’s inclination towards a healthier lifestyle is palpable. A 2020 National Fitness Activities Report highlighted walking and running as the most favored physical activities among adults. Mao Jiale, a sports analyst based in Chengdu, opined that well-organized marathon events can potentially boost tourism and local economies. The increase in outdoor exercises has been noticeable, with over 400 million Chinese citizens participating.
However, concerns about air quality during the Beijing Marathon were voiced by fans and participants. Despite being labeled as “mild to middle pollution” on the day of the marathon, rescheduling wasn’t feasible due to logistical challenges. Jiang Chong, a practicing physiotherapist and occasional runner, emphasized the importance of proper training for marathon aspirants. She stated that without appropriate preparation, runners risk severe injuries and that adopting a scientific approach to training is essential for a successful marathon experience.
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