On March 22nd, the 2024 Chinese Athletics Association Road Running Work Conference was held, during which the Guangzhou Marathon was named one of the most influential events of the Chinese Athletics Association in 2023.
According to data, in 2023, China hosted a total of 699 road running events, each attracting more than 800 participants, with a cumulative participation of 6.05 million individuals. Notably, April and November each witnessed over a hundred events. Thirty-one provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions organized certified events, with Guangdong, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang being the top three. The total number of participants in certified events reached 4.1842 million, mirroring the figures from 2019 closely (4.24 million).
This surge in event participation coincided with a marked improvement in both competitive and mass running performances across China. In the previous year, no fewer than 2.5 million individuals in China completed either half or full marathon events. The tally of full marathon finishers soared to 641,700, a leap of 142,700 from 2022, while half marathon finishers reached 1.859 million, marking a surge of 507,500 from the previous year.
Since its inception in 2012, the Guangzhou Marathon has evolved into a standout event of considerable acclaim.
In 2023, the Guangzhou Marathon celebrated its milestone tenth anniversary. Over the past decade, the Guangzhou Marathon, designated as a World Athletics Gold Label Road Race Event, has exemplified professionalism in organization, stringent security, and traffic management, comprehensive medical provision, attentive volunteer service, and extensive publicity efforts. Its professional standards and global reach have steadily advanced, while its cultural significance has deepened. The accolades and milestones garnered by the Guangzhou Marathon not only validate past endeavors but also set loftier benchmarks for its future growth.
Source: Yangcheng Evening News
