by Yue Wenwan, Wang Hengzhi and Hu Yitian

WUHAN, China, March 23 (Xinhua) -- With over 20 marathon events taking place across the country, this Sunday was dubbed "Super Marathon Day" in China.

Leading the pack was central China's Wuhan Marathon, which expanded its participant limit to 40,000 this year -- 10,000 more than the edition in 2024. However, demand surged even higher, with over 450,000 applicants, leaving the acceptance rate at just 8.8 percent.

For seasoned Beijing runner Yang Jun, a spot in the Wuhan Marathon was a long-awaited opportunity. "I had applied five times before and finally got in through the supplementary draw this year," he noted.

"It's not only a fitness journey, but also a way to explore new cities," said Yang, who has run tens of marathons in the past decade. "And his enthusiasm is part of a broader trend: according to the China Athletics Association, the number of road races nationwide grew to 749 in 2024, up from 699 in 2023, attracting more than seven million runners, an increase of one million compared to last year."

The growing fever for road running has also reshaped society in multiple facets.

BETTER PERFORMANCE, HEALTHIER LIVES

Under a light drizzle and a pleasant temperature of 18 degrees Celsius, Ethiopian runners Asefa Mengstu Negewo and Guteni Shone Imana set new records in the men's and women's events in Wuhan on Sunday, respectively. Meanwhile, Chinese marathon star He Jie also rewrote the new national record for the Wuhan Marathon, finishing in two hours, 10 minutes, and 29 seconds.

"I wasn't in my best condition after my recent Tokyo Marathon, but the rainy and cooling weather allowed me to enjoy the race," he said. With the Wuhan Marathon now an official World Athletics Gold Label event, He embraced the chance to compete alongside top international runners.

Overall, Chinese runners' performances have seen significant improvements. According to the China Road Running Work Report published by the China Athletics Association, over 18,000 runners completed marathons within three hours at certified races in 2024, and the national average marathon finish time improved by more than five minutes to four hours, seven minutes, and one second.

While elite runners chase records, many amateur participants prioritize health and experience over personal bests.

Chen Weifen from eastern China's Shandong Province finished the race in two hours, 35 minutes, and 50 seconds as the fifth-fastest Chinese woman. "This was not my best performance, but I felt no regret. My main goal now is to enjoy the race atmosphere in different cities."

Similarly, Yang has seen transformative benefits from running. "I used to weigh more than 90 kilograms due to a sedentary lifestyle. Running marathons helped me shed 20 kilograms, and now, at 55, I wake up at five a.m. every day for an hour-long run before work," he said.

Beyond weight loss, running has given him improved focus and energy. "I don't run for bragging anymore. I run for the joy of it."

BOOMING INDUSTRY, GROWING SPENDING

As fitness culture gains popularity, more Chinese runners are willing to invest in sports-related industries.

"The toughest part isn't running the race -- it's getting selected," said Dai Dongsheng, a runner from the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu. "Once you're in, spending on entry fees, gear, and travel is just part of the experience."

Marathons have driven significant economic activity, particularly in sportswear, wearable tech, as well as nutrition and recovery products.

"To prepare for the Wuhan Marathon, I spent 299 yuan (around 41 U.S. dollars) on a running shirt, 399 yuan on shorts, 600 yuan on earbuds, and around 1,000 yuan on shoes," said Luo Fuyuan from south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, whose investment paid off with a personal best of two hours, 30 minutes, and 58 seconds.

Market data also supported this trend. According to the 2023 China Road Race Report, 90 percent of runners purchase sports protection gear, with 30.21 percent spending over 2,000 yuan annually. Meanwhile, 59.34 percent of runners invest over 1,000 yuan in wearable tech, and over 10 percent spend more than 5,000 yuan.

The tourism industry also benefits from marathon-driven spending. Wuhan Marathon organizers reported that more than 71,000 tourists visited Wuhan due to the race. Visiting runners generated 1.17 billion yuan in direct spending, and the total economic impact reached 2.98 billion yuan, up 40.2 percent from the previous year.

"The marathon boom and consumption fever on sports gear are the natural result of rising incomes of Chinese people and their increasing focus on fitness," said Jing Yan, a professor at Wuhan Sports University.

MARATHONS AS CITY BRANDING

A broad consensus has been reached in China that a marathon is a good way to promote cities. The Wuhan Marathon coincides with cherry blossom season, and organizers enhanced the course with flower displays and scenic spots.

"The cherry blossom-lined roads were stunning," said Li Zhengyue from southeastern China's Fujian Province. "The scenery, together with the cheers from spectators, kept me going, and the experience left me with a great impression of the city."

For many runners, marathons also mean travel opportunities. "I've always wanted to see Wuhan's cherry blossoms. Since the event offers discounts on accommodation and sightseeing, I brought my family along. And we'll stay two more days after the race to enjoy the city more deeply," said Chen.

Other Chinese cities have also embraced this concept by designing marathon routes with their landmarks. For example, the Beijing Marathon starts at Tiananmen Square and passes the National Theatre and Olympic venues. Meanwhile, Chongqing's race includes the Yangtze River Cableway and the iconic Hongya Cave.

Even smaller towns are leveraging marathons for tourism. In 2022, Yaozhihe Village in central China's Hubei Province hosted a half-marathon featuring colorful tracks through mountain mist. Events like these bring "hidden gems" into the spotlight, proving that marathons are not just races but also cultural and economic catalysts.

According to a report released by the General Administration of Sport of China, a single large-scale marathon, such as the 2023 Shanghai Marathon, can generate economic benefits of six to seven billion yuan. Even mid-sized marathons contribute significantly -- like the 2023 Zhengzhou Marathon, which boosted cultural, sports, and tourism industries by 1.46 billion yuan.

"Cities should tailor marathon events to their own strengths rather than creating similar experiences; it would be better if smaller cities can develop a sustainable and unique race culture," she said. Enditem