The picturesque county of Longyou in Quzhou, Zhejiang province is gearing up for a thrilling sports event on March 16 – the 2025 Longyou Half Marathon, and registration for the event opened on Jan 10.

The event features a 21.10-kilometer half-marathon, with a participant limit of 4,000 runners – and there's a 4-kilometer fun run, with a participant limit of 6,000 folks.

Longyou has carefully mapped out the race route – bringing in great cultural elements to allow runners to experience the history and modern vibrancy of the county while on the trot. The race routes connect several captivating scenic spots in Longyou as follows.

The grand entrance of the Dannanmen historical and cultural block in Longyou county in Quzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

The Dannanmen historical and cultural block, once the political, cultural and commercial center of ancient Longyou city for over a millennium, boasts numerous historical sites and distinctive historical buildings.

The magnificent Longyou Grottoes in Longyou county in Quzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

The Longyou Grottoes constitute a magnificent and mysterious ancient underground man-made complex. The grottoes are widely said to hold immense value for multidisciplinary research, education, cultural preservation and tourism.

Tourists get ready to enter the Longyou Folk Residence Garden in Longyou county. [Photo/Tide News]

The Longyou Folk Residence Garden features ancient-style buildings, intangible cultural heritage displays, and cultural performances. It shows all the ancient villages, folk customs, and regional charms of Longyou.