Nearly 10,000 runners from home and abroad competed in the 2023 Heze Marathon, which was held on May 7 in the city of Heze, which is widely known as the "Peony Capital of China".

As the race route linked Heze's distinctive urban landmarks with its popular scenic spots that boasted peonies in their full-bloom period, runners were able to admire the city’s vibrant scenery while enjoying their passion for running.

Participants take off from the starting line during the 2023 Heze Marathon on May 7. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The medal for the 2023 Heze Marathon [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2023 Heze Marathon route links the city's popular scenic spots and iconic landmarks. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]