2019.03.18

The 2019 Times China Qingyuan International Marathon (“Qingyuan Marathon”) kicked off at Qingyuan Gymnasium on March 17, 2019. Now in its fifth year, the Qingyuan Marathon has become one of the most influential and well-known branded events in southern China.

New leaps in the new year have brought new surprises. This event attracted 22,000 runners from around the world, including 6,000 runners for the full marathon, 8,000 for the half-marathon and 8,000 runners for the mini-marathon. The number of participants reached a record high. Application started at 2:00 p.m. on December 18, 2018. Within one day, all three races were fully applied, thus demonstrating the runners' love and support for the Qingyuan Marathon. Consequently, the new name card for Qingyuan was acknowledged by more and more people.

Mr. Guo Feng, secretary of the Qingyuan CPC Committee and chairman of the Standing Committee of the Qingyuan People's Congress; Mr. Liang Zhiqiang, chairman of the Qingyuan CPPCC; Mr. Zeng Xianlin, vice chairman of the Standing Committee of the Qingyuan People's Congress; Mr. Zhong Zhijin, deputy chief of the Mass Sports Division of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province; Mr. Cui Jianjun, a member of the Standing Committee of the Qingyuan CPC Committee and head of the Publicity Department of the Qingyuan CPC Committee; Mr. Lyu Chengxi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Qingyuan CPC Committee and Executive Vice Mayor of Qingyuan; Ms. Shao Jun, vice mayor of Qingyuan; Mr. Xu Guangyong, director of Qingyuan Cultural Broadcasting and Tourism Administration and other senior officers from Qingyuan CPC Committee, Standing Committee of the Qingyuan People's Congress, Qingyuan Government and members of the Qingyuan CPPCC; Mr. Chen Qike, general manager of the Qingyuan & Shaoguan Branch; Mr. Luo Binhua, vice president of GF Securities Co. Ltd.; and Mr. Li Qiang, board chairman of Guangzhou GUSTO Sports Co., Ltd. attended the starting ceremony and fired their guns.

Times China, as the event's exclusive title sponsor, presented beautiful scenery on the track. Runners from the Times China team competed with more than 20,000 runners from many countries and regions as well as mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan. With the sound of the starter's pistol, members of the Times China team, led by Mr. Chen Qike, general manager of the Qingyuan & Shaoguan Branch, surged forward.

Qingyuan Marathon welcomed a fifth installment, embracing many of its highlights.

The start lines of the Qingyuan Marathon and finish lines of the full marathon and half-marathon were set at the north gate of Qingyuan Gymnasium while the finish line of mini-marathon was set at Qingyuan Government Square. The competitors in the full-marathon passed through Beijiang Bridge, Fengcheng Bridge, Lunzhou Bridge and Zhouxin Bridge, all of which have witnessed the development of Qingyuan. Thus, the four bridges stood in testament to the proud history and bright future of Qingyuan. The Qingyuan Marathon course, which crossed the Beijiang River four times, saw the latest leap and development of Qingyuan while offering the participants beautiful scenery on both sides of the river.

Times China cheered for everyone in the Qingyuan Marathon.

Times China made its participation felt in a variety of creative ways as it provided high-quality services for the runners. After starting, the dynamic Times China race team quickly ignited the other runners' passion and joy. Over the course of the run, Times China cheerleaders cheered for the Times China team and other competitors, catching the eyes of many in the crowd.

Times China set up interesting checkpoints along the track, and there were colorful banners emblazoned with slogans to keep the runners feeling motivated. Additionally, Times China launched a free engraving activity to customize the medals for runners who participated in the Qingyuan Marathon. The service was greatly appreciated by everyone who made use of it.

The Qingyuan Marathon University League was launched.

The number of University League applications exceeded last year's figure, with 41 well-known universities--including Peking University, Tsinghua University and Sun Yat-Sen University--forming teams to participate in the event. Sun Yat-Sen University took the lead with 107 participants. The university running team, comprising students from Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai and other cities, united as one in the competition, carried forward the sportsmanship and exerted vibrancy to excellent effect.

The team of runners created a legacy of strength and perseverance.

Given the five-year history of the Qingyuan Marathons, more and more fans of the event gathered to see the spectacle. Runners in the event extended friendship to encourage each other, with warm and moving moments among teams abundantly evident.

The Qingyuan Marathon concluded with the announcement of results.

After a fierce competition, Zhang Zhenlong, of China, won the championship of the 2019 Times China Qingyuan International Marathon in 2:21:09. Esther Wanjiru Macharia, from Kenya, won the gold medal in the women's full marathon with a time of 2:41:17. Mr. Chen Qike, general manager of Qingyuan & Shaoguan Branch, presented awards to the contestants in the men's full marathon.

The marathon has brought great changes to Qingyuan during each of its five editions. Not only has it become an annual carnival for the Qingyuan people, but it has also imparted a subtle influence on the spiritual civilization and improvement of the city. Times China has always focused on and supported the development of sports culture in the cities of southern China. As a popular sports event worldwide, the marathon conveys the spirit of persistence and transcendence. It's a spirit that coincides with the core values Times China, namely love, commitment and creation.

Times China provides impetus for the development of the Qingyuan Marathon and enthusiastically promotes it as a business card for the image of Qingyuan, thus conveying the nationwide development of fitness and encouraging people to experience a healthy, optimistic lifestyle. Through the Qingyuan Marathon, we hope to show the cultural essence of Times China as we participate in the city's cultural development and contribute to quality urban development.

Now, 2019 Times China Qingyuan International Marathon comes to a successful conclusion. We look forward to seeing you next year.