Sichuan city marathon attracts 10,000 runners

William Chebon Chebor, a runner from Kenya, was about to cross the finish line in the men's full marathon in Guang’an, Sichuan province, on Oct 15, 2017. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

Some 10,000 people from home and abroad braved the rain to participate in a marathon in Guang'an, Sichuan province, on Sunday.

William Chebon Chebor of Kenya was the first to cross the line, finishing in two hours and 14 minutes, while Ethiopia's Meskerem Abera Hunde won the women's race in two hours, 42 minutes and 33 seconds.

Both times beat the records set in last year’s marathon, according to the Guang'an government information office.

Runners aged 6 to 79 from around the world took part in a full marathon, half marathon and 5-km run. The full marathon was more than 42 kilometers.

"Thirty runners are foreign athletes from Bahrain, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Spain, Tanzania and the United States," said Huang Cheng, who works in the Guang’an government information office.

Yan Ting and Chen Jinghong, a couple from Nanchong, Sichuan, received hearty applause when they finished the half marathon.

Chen lost his eyesight and the use of his left arm more than 10 years ago. To allow him to exercise, Yan always accompanies him on his runs.

"I heard the cheers from the audience. Taking part in the marathon makes me physically stronger and more brave," Chen said.

Known as the birthplace of Deng Xiaoping, the former Chinese leader, tourists often flock to Guang'an to see the natural scenery of Huaying Mountain. A two-day tourism and culture festival started on the mountain on Saturday.