Runners’ enthusiasm for the 2018 Shenzhen International Marathon was not diminished even though the sky was overcast yesterday morning, as 30,000 contestants from home and abroad gathered at the Civic Center square at 8 a.m. ready to hit the road.
The first runner to cross the finish line was Edwin Kipngetich Koech from Kenya, who finished the full-length marathon (42.195 kilometers) in 2 hours 9 minutes and 44 seconds. Koech took home a prize of US$20,000.
The runner-up prize went to an Ethiopian contestant, Bekele Muluneh Metaferia, who was only 56 seconds faster than the second runner-up, Samuel Ndungu Wanjiku, also from Kenya. Metaferia was awarded US$15,000, while Wanjiku received US$10,000.
The first woman to cross the finish line was Mulu Seboka Seyfu from Ethiopia. She finished in a time of 2 hours 27 minutes and 12 seconds, according to the organizer.
Kenyan runner Flomena Chepchirchir Chumba and Ethiopian runner Ashu Kasim Rabo finished in second and third place, respectively.
The first Chinese contestant to finish the full-length marathon was a 28-year-old man named Zhang Zhenlong from Inner Mongolia. It took him 2 hours 20 minutes and 43 seconds to finish the race, approximately 11 minutes longer than the Kenyan winner.
“I’m very satisfied with the result because it’s my best result in recent years. Today’s weather is very comfortable and the drizzle during the race also helped me maintain my strength,” Zhang told the Shenzhen Daily.
Evgeny Dekhtyar, a runner from Russia, said he really enjoyed the race and it was the second time that he had participated in the Shenzhen marathon. “The weather is superb for running a marathon because it is neither too cold nor too hot. Also, the views along Shennan Boulevard were beautiful. I really like the route,” said Dekhtyar.
Dekhtyar will also participate in the 2018 Shenzhen Bao’an International Marathon that is scheduled for Dec. 30. “I think a marathon is an amazing carnival in the city. People can exercise, have fun and break their personal records together,” he said.
Apart from the full-length marathon, the half-length marathon also attracted many participants to experience the fun of running. Some wanted to take the opportunity to improve their stamina and strength, while others wanted to enjoy themselves with friends and family.
