Jilin Special: Swedish 30km marathon race returns to Changchun

Last year, a 44-year-old Swedish sporting tradition made its debut in China. The oddly-named Lidingoloppet race was first held in Lidingo in Central Sweden back in 1965. In its first year it attracted some 644 keen joggers to tackle its 30km long course - by 2008, nearly 35,000 runners were taking part in the event.

Last year, retaining the same relaxed running format of its Swedish forebear, the event came to Changchun, the capital of the northeastern province of Jilin.

On Sunday, runners in the region will have a second change to compete in this now annual summer sporting celebration.