Hailed as the "Venice of the Orient", Yangma Island, perched on the east coast of Yantai, is attracting the attention of runners from around the world with the debut of its picturesque marathon course.

Jointly sponsored by the Shandong provincial bureau of sports, the Yantai municipal bureau of sports, the Muping district government and the Yantai municipal commission of tourism development, the 2017 Beautiful Island International Half Marathon, the first of its kind held in Yantai this year, is scheduled for April 22 on Yangma Island.

According to the organizing committee, the event is expected to attract about 2,000 people from all over the country. A 10-km race is also planned to encourage more participants.

Registration for the event is open until April 14.

If you want to join in the race, please register via the official website: http://iranshao.com/register/reg_races/zuimeihaidao?guest_register=true .

The route map for the half marathon at Yangma Island on April 22. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The route map for the 10-km race at Yangma Island on April 22. [Photo/dzwww.com]

The iconic sculpture at Yangma Island (or Feeding Horse Island). The island is named after Emperor Qin Shihuang, the first emperor of the Qin Dynasty (221-206 BC), who regularly rested his horses there while on his quest for the elixir of everlasting life. [Photo/dzwww.com]