Businesses race to keep up with long-range runners

Pod Inn, a Hangzhou-based budget hotel chain, saw reservations surge at one facility in the city ahead of a marathon race in early November.

The hotel, near the starting point of the race at the Yellow Dragon Sports Center, was more than 90 percent full before the event, compared with 50 percent to 60 percent most other days.

Budget hotels' business is still solid even as the hospitality sector slows overall. One reason is the rising popularity of marathons.