Dongguan officials: Top int'l marathoners can create 'fever' for the sport

Runners compete in the Dongguan Songshan Lake International Marathon in Dongguan, Guangdong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Wide participation by top international professional marathon athletes will help stimulate public interest in the sport and create "marathon fever" in Dongguan, a booming Pearl River Delta city, local officials said.

Six professional marathon athletes from Kenya and Ethiopia won the top three positions in both the men and women's full marathons at the Dongguan Songshan Lake International Marathon, which was held in Dongguan on Sunday.

"Long-distance running and the marathon are traditional sporting events in Dongguan," said Song Hongfei, deputy secretary-general of the Dongguan marathon organizing committee.

The first of its kind in the city's sport history, the marathon attracted about 15,000 runners, of which seven were professionals and have already claimed championships in other international events.

"Participation of world-famous athletes will help promote interest from the public for the sport," Song said.

According to Song, the city has developed more than 900 kilometers of greenways, which allow local residents to more conveniently participate in running.

This year's marathon event was highlighted by smart technology, as the robot "Alpha", which received extra attention at this year's Spring Festival gala, provided additional entertainment by displaying group dancing along the running route.