Going the distance
Updated: 2015-11-21 10:20
By Yang Feiyue(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Back in 2010, most people wouldn't dream of joining a marathon, because they felt it was only for professional athletes.
Wang Dawei, vice-chairman of the China Athletic Association, says that it took five months for the Beijing Marathon to get enough people to sign up that year.
Still, the registration results were not impressive. But the tide has been turning in the past two years.
The Beijing competition saw its 30,000 slots snapped up in just one day last year, as running is now seen by many as fashionable and a lifestyle choice.
Some runners are even seen running with gauze masks on hazy days.
The urban marathon has seen the most growth in numbers among all the marathons, such as cross-country and the three-dimensional ones, in recent years, says Wang.
A total of 39 CAA-approved urban marathons were held last year, involving more than 750,000 participants, and this year will see 55 before the year ends, according to him.
"The number of marathon runners and those who complete events have also greatly increased," he adds.
Events in big cities such as Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai are now able to attract roughly 20,000 runners each, while the number ranges from 5,000-10,000 for smaller cities.
In addition to the full marathon and its half version, the 50-or-100 kilometer and 24-hour marathons are also making inroads into China.
- London tube station evacuated over security threat
- China law firm Yingke opens China Center in London
- ROK accepts DPRK's proposal for working-level talks
- DPRK proposes working-level talks with S. Korea
- France, Russia launch more strikes against IS targets in Syria
- Chinese bearing maker prepares Michigan facility
Indian PM praises Premier Li's philosophy on economy
Snow hits North China as temperature drops
'Burn the Floor' thrills its Beijing audience
Where do China's damaged currency notes go?
Shenyang's 50 gas-electric hybrid buses to hit the road
Top 10 global innovators in 2015
Leaders attend APEC welcome dinner in Manila
Amazing finds unearthed at the Marquis of Haihun's tomb
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
![]()
|
Today's Top News
Chinese president arrives in Turkey for G20 summit
Islamic State claims responsibility for Paris attacks
Obama, Netanyahu at White House seek to mend US-Israel ties
China, not Canada, is top US trade partner
Tu first Chinese to win Nobel Prize in Medicine
Huntsman says Sino-US relationship needs common goals
Xi pledges $2 billion to help developing countries
Young people from US look forward to Xi's state visit: Survey
US Weekly
![]()
|
![]()
|