Maration Special: Canon's costumed capers prove a fancy dress fillip for Beijing marathon

The 2009 Beijing International Marathon went under starter's orders on October 18 in Tiananmen Square. This year's tournament, beginning in Tiananmen Square and ending at the National Olympic Sports Central Avenue, by way of many of the Olympic landmarks, including the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, attracted over 30,000 participants from both China and overseas.

The marathon, organized by the Chinese Athletics Association and approved by the State Sports General Administration, as well as the Municipal Government of Beijing, was the jewel in the crown among the annual outdoor sporting events held in the Chinese capital this year.

Among the many of the non-professional runners, one of the most popular activities was the "Fancy Dress" running team with the slogan of "Run Out in Color to Create a Better Future", organized and sponsored for the second time by Canon China.