Lanzhou running with a good idea

The 2019 Lanzhou International Marathon was held in the Gansu province capital on June 2, attracting runners from across the country and abroad to pound the city's pavements and take in some of its landmarks.

The event, held annually since 2011, included a full marathon, half marathon and a 5-kilometer run.

Co-hosted by the Chinese Athletic Association, the sports bureau of Gansu province and Lanzhou city government, the event attracted 40,007 runners from 19 countries and regions, including Afghanistan, France, Canada, China's Hong Kong and Taiwan, organizers said.

The racetrack followed the city's Binhe Road and went through districts, including Chengguan, Qilihe and Anning district. It also passed attractions such as the Zhongshan bridge and Waterwheel Park along the Yellow River and Baita Mountain.

For the first time, organizers set up a memory wall for runners to post their personal best times.

At 1,500 meters above sea level, Lanzhou is one of China's more challenging marathons, and so achieving a personal best would be an impressive feat, said Chen Geng, an altitude training expert at the General Administration of Sport of China.

As the marathon is open to runners of all skill levels, care should be taken by unseasoned runners in pushing themselves too hard, he added.

This year, the International Association of Athletics Federations Global Running Conference China 2019 opened alongside the marathon.

It attracted guests from 50 countries and regions and representative groups from cities in China including Guangzhou, Zhengzhou, Linyi and Xiamen.

They discussed the road-running sport and its role in contributing to a city's economy, society and environment.

"The conference is a great affirmation to the marathon in Lanzhou and a support to the city's development," said Li Rongcan, Party secretary of Lanzhou.

"It is also a crucial platform to connect Lanzhou with the world."

Road running will add more vitality to people's lives and be a bridge to help a city open up, he said.

"Lanzhou has made a change with the marathon and will become better thanks to the road-running sport."

The number of participants in Lanzhou's marathon has increased from 18,750 in 2011 to more than 40,000 in 2019.

The event was awarded the "Gold Label" by the IAAF and the "Gold Medal" by the CAA.

"Lanzhou is an inland city in western China; there are many gaps in the economy compared with coastal cities. But the pursuit of dreams never stop," Li said.

With the development of the marathon, the city has ramped up its efforts in developing its sports sector.

To date, it has built a sports corridor featuring the Yellow River landscape and has completed the construction of a sports center, marathon park and bicycle lanes.

"We have carried out measures in the city's construction to support the marathon," said an official from the Lanzhou city government.

"The event has also helped our innovation in city management," the official said.

liangkaiyan@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily 06/05/2019 page12)