2024 Guiyang Marathon concludes

The 2024 Guiyang Marathon is held on June 16. [Photo/ddcpc website]

At 7:30 am on June 16, 32,000 domestic and international participants dashed out from the starting line to the sound of the starting gun, embarking on the 2024 Guiyang Marathon.

Athletes from Guizhou province clinched championships in the men's marathon, women's half-marathon, and mini-marathon.

The race spanned Guanshanhu district, Baiyun district, and Guiyang National High-tech Industrial Development Zone, and passed through several "green lungs of the city" like Guanshanhu Park, Yueshanhu Wetland Park, and Guiyang Karst Park.

Just 30 minutes into the race, Guiyang marathoner Jian Yitao crossed the mini-marathon finish line, becoming the first winner of the day.

At 1 hour and 8 minutes into the race, Beijing athlete Liu Xu claimed victory in the men's half-marathon, followed by Kenya's Muhiakennedy Njogu in the second place and Zhao Guohu from Anshun city in the third place.

Shortly after, Ding Changqin from Yuqing county, Zunyi emerged as the women's half-marathon champion.

Guizhou athlete Cen Wanjiang wins the men's marathon. [Photo/ddcpc website]

Around the 2 hours and 20 minutes mark, professional athlete Cen Wanjiang from Anshun successfully defended his title in the men's marathon. The second and third places were claimed by Ethiopia's Heyi Tebalu Zawude and Kenya's Gachaga Morris Munene, respectively.

In the women's marathon, Ethiopia's Robi Genet Tadesse claimed first place, followed by Zhang Shanshan from Guizhou in the second and Wang Wentian from Shandong province in the third.

The Guiyang Marathon, accredited by the Chinese Athletics Association as a "gold medal event," has been held successfully since 2014, with seven in-person editions and three online editions.

In 2024, the Guiyang Marathon was certified as a World Athletics Label Road Race, further enhancing its brand influence and showcasing the beauty of Guizhou, serving as a window for exchanges with the world.

This year's Guiyang Marathon attracted 93,902 registrations, with 32,000 people qualifying for participation. The oldest participant was 76 years old, while the youngest was 5 years old.