The 2024 Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) Marathon was held on Oct 20 – to the great delight of participants and spectators alike.
As one of the first Road Race Gold Label events and an A-level marathon in China, it celebrated its 15th edition this year.
The race involved 9,000 full marathon runners, 12,000 half marathon participants and 14,095 enthusiasts who went on the health run.
Among them were 29 international competitors from 12 countries, along with 17,921 athletes from outside the city.
Dubbed the "Most Beautiful Race Course" by participants, the marathon route traversed scenic boulevards and connected various parks. Runners experienced a picturesque landscape characterized by lush greenery and tranquil water features.
"I highly recommend the Dongying course; let's come back next year and set personal bests," said Guan Yousheng, an athlete from Guizhou province, who finished first among the Chinese participants in the full marathon with a personal best of 2 hours, 11 minutes and 52 seconds.
Following the event, participants said they loved it – noting the warmth of the local community and the quality of services. Many said they wanted to explore more of Dongying after the race, highlighting the city's appeal beyond the marathon.
Officials say the Dongying marathon is going to expand its scale – becoming an integral part of the city's urban life and contributing to the development of its tourism, culture and sports.
The 2024 Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) Marathon attracts over 30,000 participants. [Photo by Yang Bin/for chinadaily.com.cn]
The great environment in Dongying provides runners with a high-quality competition experience. [Photo by Yang Bin/for chinadaily.com.cn]
