Runners pound the pavement in Yichang
2023-05-01 13:05:15
By Tan Maolin, Yichang International Communication Studio
Some 22,000 runners from home and abroad took to their heels along the Yangtze River on Sunday in this year’s edition of the Yichang Marathon.
Thousands of spectators and teams of volunteers cheered the athletes along. Runners were able to get water and sponges at hydration stations dotted along the route.
Kirwa Kiptoo from Kenya pulled ahead of the field in the men’s full marathon to claim victory while Ethiopian athlete Roman Gebreegziabher won the women’s full marathon.
Photo by Songjinge.
Photo by Songjinge.
Some 22,000 runners from home and abroad took to their heels along the Yangtze River on Sunday in this year’s edition of the Yichang Marathon.
Photo by Songjinge.
With a high of 28 degrees predicted, the race began in the cool of the morning, at at 6:30 am.
Thousands of spectators and teams of volunteers cheered the athletes along. Runners were able to get water and sponges at hydration stations dotted along the route.
Photo by Songjinge.
Kirwa Kiptoo from Kenya pulled ahead of the field in the men’s full marathon to claim victory while Ethiopian athlete Roman Gebreegziabher won the women’s full marathon.
The 42.195km full marathon course started at Peace Park and ended at Binjiang Park, with a long stretch along the banks of the Yangtze River in the city’s downtown area and then across the river on the Zhixi Yangtze River Bridge.
The hills on the far side of the river formed a green backdrop as athletes sped up the avenue.
The full marathon drew 3,000 runners, with 7,000 signing up for the half marathon, 6,000 for the 10 km health run and 6,000 for the 4.2 km mini-run.
The hills on the far side of the river formed a green backdrop as athletes sped up the avenue.
The full marathon drew 3,000 runners, with 7,000 signing up for the half marathon, 6,000 for the 10 km health run and 6,000 for the 4.2 km mini-run.
Photo by Songjinge.
The 2023 race, the first since the Covid pandemic, was shifted to May to coincide with the May Day holiday (April 29 to May 3), making it easier for amateur participants to come to Yichang, and helping attract tourists.
The first edition of the Yichang Marathon took place in October 2016.
The first edition of the Yichang Marathon took place in October 2016.
Photo by Songjinge.
