The Rising Xiamen International Marathon
The Most Beautiful Asian Marathon is Getting Bigger and Better
Mar 17, 2009
Xiamen International Marathon is one of the two leading international marathons in China. It is co-organized by Xiamen Municipal Government and the Chinese Athletic Association. The first event was organized in 2003. It has been registered with International Marathons and Road Races since 2004. It is run on the first Saturday of January every year when the weather is mild and cool in Xiamen, South China.
The Scenic Gold Label Race
Xiamen International Marathon attracts around 30000 runners.The full distance course runs through the scenic sections of the Xiamen city, along Huandao Lu(Ring Road). Runners will run across beautifully landscaped areas. The other attraction about this course is its flatness, which is ideal for runners after a fast record. The marathon has been listed as a Gold Label Road Race by IAAF (see my article entitled IAAF Goldn Label Road Races 2009) because of its rising attraction to elite runners and the media. For those who prefer a shorter race, there are half-marathons and 10 km races on the same morning. Online registration is available from October onwards every year on their official website. (Another famous Aisan marathon which gets listed is the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon, which is covered by another suite101.com article, accessible here.)
The Event Sculptures in Greece
The organizers have been industrious and creative in promoting Xiamen International Marathon. For the 2009 event, the Xiamen Municipal Government duplicated and donated two sculptures of the marathon athletes on the Huandao Lu (Ring Road) of the city to Greece. They would be donating 18 more of these to be placed in the starting zone of the Greek city’s marathon race.
Forum of the Mayors of Marathon Organizing Cities
Besides the marathon, the organizers also organized a forum for Mayors of marathon organizing cities, during the week of the Xiamen International Marathon to encourage exchange of ideas and networking. The forum agenda was centered around these topics: marathon and the urban development, mainly including the marathon and the urban construction and development, the marathon and the urban economy, the marathon and the urban culture, the marathon and the urban spirit, the marathon and nationwide sports. The participants included IAAF, AIMS, the Chinese Athletics Association, the mayors and organizing committee officials of the marathon hosting cities in China and overseas, the experts concerned with marathon organizing, the world-famous enterprises and other organizations sponsoring the marathon.
The Duel in the 2009 Marathon
The Xiamen International Marathon attracts world class contestants year after year. On a lighter note, on 3 January 2009, in a breathtaking duel between Kenyan Samuel Muturi and Ethiopian Negari Terfa, both runners broke the course record and their own personal bests at the 7th Xiamen International Marathon.
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