Twenty-four professional runners from nine countries and regions have confirmed their participation in the upcoming Guangzhou Marathon, the organizers said on Friday.

Besides the participation of professional runners, who are mostly from Africa, about 20,000 amateurs will take part in the Guangzhou Marathon after the organizers vowed to develop the event into a running carnival.

The route of the event in Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, which will be held on Nov 23, has also been adjusted in accordance with requests of the International Association of Athletics Federations to ensure safe and smooth running, according to the organizing committee.

Meanwhile, eight companies including Guangzhou Toyota Motor Co Ltd and Canon Inc have signed sponsorship agreements with the organizing committee of the upcoming Guangzhou Marathon, the organizers said.