2019.04.01

The 2019 Zhaoqing International Marathon kicked off at 7:30 a.m. on March 31, 2019, at Paifang Square, Zhaoqing, under the sponsorship of Times China. More than 20,000 runners broke awakened the city as they streamed through Zhaoqing's colorful scenery.

Early in the morning, participants gathered at the Paifang Square to get ready and take photos.

The opening ceremony for the event was attended by Mr. Wang Yuping, director of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province; Mr. Fan Zhongjie, deputy secretary of the Zhaoqing Municipal CPC Committee and mayor of Zhaoqing City; Ms. Xian Dongmei, chairwoman of the Chinese Judo Association as well as a two-time Olympic champion and outstanding athlete from Zhaoqing, Guangdong; Ms. Li Danyang, a national first-class actor; Mr. Yang Jinghui, gold medalist in diving events at the 2004 Athens Olympics; Ms. Li Yueru, a member of the Women's Basketball National Team and FMVP of the WCBA 2018-2019 season finals; Mr. Zhang Zhixiong, assistant president of Times China Holdings Limited; and other distinguished guests.

The leaders and guests launched the competition with blaring horns.

This is the second year in a row that Times China has joined hands with Zhaoqing Marathon to hold a high-end competition for the purpose of promoting public welfare. Moreover, the event was the first to include three race lengths: the full marathon (42.195 km), the half-marathon (21.0975 km) and the mini-marathon (4 km). The competition kicked off with 21,383 participants from 15 countries and regions, and everyone shared in the fun and challenge of running.

The participants went all out as they set forth in pursuit of the finish.

Spectators at the track cheered for the participants.

After a fierce competition, Cornelius Kosgei, from Kenya, was the first to cross the line with a time of 2:21:13, becoming the champion in the men's full marathon. The winner of the women's race went to a fellow Kenyan, Isgah Cheruto.

The participants at the finish line

Gold medal winners shared their laughter and took photos at the finish line.

Women's Full Marathon Awards

Men's Full Marathon Awards

Running is a healthy exercise, but everyone was thankful for the speed-matching motorcycle that maintained a constant speed, the medical team that followed the participants, the volunteers that braved the chilly breeze, and the China Children and Teenagers' Fund that contributes so much to help underprivileged young people. Everyone who fights for the common good is a champion.

Times China has consistently supported the construction and development of sports culture in the nation's cities, and this year marks the twentieth anniversary of the founding of Times China. The company's "Run with the Greater Bay Area" campaign brought fresh vitality to the late spring of March. Running is a sport for everyone, and its spirit of perseverance and transcendence coincides with Times China's core values of love, commitment and creation. Through the Zhaoqing International Marathon we hope to illustrate the cultural essence of Times China and fully participate in the city's cultural development as we and the citizens discover the beauty of the Bay Area and contribute to its healthy development.

Together with you, we'll share every step in the pursuit of a bright future.