Chinese runner Li Zhengyue and Kenya's Philis Kirop Jepkosgei claimed victories in the men's and women's races respectively at the 2025 Urumqi Marathon on Sunday.

Kenya's Philis Kirop Jepkosgei interacts with spectators after winning the women's full marathon, August 31, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Li, who finished third at the 2025 Nanjing Pukou Marathon in March, staged a strong comeback to cross the finish line first in two hours, 19 minutes and 54 seconds. Xinjiang natives Dosbol Kabiljan and Bahdar Orazali took second and third places respectively in the men's full marathon.

In the women's race, Jepkosgei clocked 2:45:16 to take the title, while Chinese runners Ao Pingping and Zhang Jingxia finished second and third.

This year's event featured a full marathon, a half marathon and a 6km fun run, attracting more than 28,000 registrations from across China and abroad. Close to 60 percent of the 14,000 runners who secured entries are from outside Xinjiang.