China experienced an extraordinary display of endurance and enthusiasm as more than 60 marathon events took place back-to-back over the past weekends. Enthusiastic runners embraced the fleeting spring weather, turning the season into a bustling phenomenon known locally as the \"Marathon Super Weekend.\"
According to the annual blue book of marathons released by the Chinese Athletics Association (CAA) last week, 2023 saw approximately 6,051,900 runners participating in 699 road running events across the country. This number nearly matches the pre-pandemic figures from 2019, highlighting a strong comeback in the running community.
The data reveals that the number of full marathons increased by two, while half marathons saw a decrease of 18 events. The total population running in CAA-accredited events reached 4.18 million, just shy of 2019’s 4.23 million.
Marathon runners, encompassing both full and half distances, accounted for 56.93 percent of the entire running population. These athletes are not only the backbone of a thriving community but also serve as key indicators of the sport's significant growth in China.
The Pacemaker Formation
Last year’s participation rate of over 6 million athletes underscores the rapid development of marathons in China. Notably, runners completing the full 42.195-kilometer distance within three hours reached a record high of 11,897. Additionally, 56,250 runners crossed the finish line in under 3.5 hours.
The most active age group shifted from 45-49 years in 2019 to 40-44 years in 2023, with male runners increasing their average completion time to 4 hours, 12 minutes, and 8 seconds. Female runners also saw improvements, with their average time reaching 4 hours, 24 minutes, and 14 seconds.
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China's 'Super Marathon Weekend' on full display in fleeting spring
cgtn.com
