The 2024 Kayou Yiwu Half Marathon kicks off in Yiwu on Nov 17. [Photo/Tide News]
The 2024 Kayou Yiwu Half Marathon kicked off in Yiwu, a county-level city in Jinhua, Zhejiang province, on Nov 17. A total of 20,000 participants embarked on a journey through the city's natural beauty, historical richness, and international trade allure.
The event featured a half marathon (21.0975 kilometers), mini fitness run (8 km), and family fitness run (3 km), attracting 10,000, 4,000, and 6,000 runners, respectively.
Since registrations opened on Sept 29, a record 23,213 runners from 21 countries and regions, including Colombia, Jordan, and the United States, signed up. Among them, the youngest is five years old, while the oldest is 79.
During the races, activities like an international food market and Race Track Experience Week were also held. Special services such as exclusive hotels and free tours of scenic spots were offered to enhance participants' experience.
The designs of the medals feature elements of ancient painted pottery unearthed from the Yiwu Qiaotou Site dating back 9,000 years and engravings of auspicious clouds and water patterns, reflecting Yiwu's flourishing trade and harmonious coexistence with nature.
Established in 2015, the Yiwu Half Marathon has become a vital part of the city's sports culture, playing an important role in attracting tourists and shaping Yiwu's unique identity.
