2018.11.19

On November 18, 2018, Times China 2018 Zhaoqing International Marathon ("Zhaoqing Marathon") in commemoration of the 900th Anniversary of Zhaoqing kicked off at Zhaoqing Memorial Archway Square. Leaders and guests attending the starting ceremony were Mr. Fan Zhongjie, deputy secretary of Zhaoqing Municipal CPC Committee and mayor of Zhaoqing City; Mr. Wang Yuping, director of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province; Mr. Han Qiaosheng, famous commentator at CCTV-5; Mr. Zhao Ying, deputy director-general of China Sports Foundation; Mr. Zhao Ping, technical officer of the Chinese Athletics Association; Mr. Li Yaokun, member of the standing committee of the CPC Zhaoqing Municipal Committee and secretary of the Zhaoqing Politics & Law Committee; Mr. Jiang Qining, member of the standing committee of the CPC Zhaoqing Municipal Committee and head of the Publicity Department; Mr. Yang Zhi, member of the standing committee of the CPC Zhaoqing Municipal Committee and head of the Organization Department; Ms. He Qinqin, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Zhaoqing Municipal People's Congress; Mr. Chen Xuanqun, vice mayor of the Zhaoqing Municipal Government; Mr. Ye Rui, vice mayor of the Zhaoqing Municipal Government and director of the Zhaoqing Municipal Public Security Bureau; Mr. Zhang Ming, vice chairman of the Qingyuan CPPCC; Mr. Wang Weidong, deputy inspector of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province; Ms. Zeng Xiaohong, former inspector of the Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province; Mr. Zhang Bo, deputy general manager of Times China Enterprise Affairs and Brand Center; Olympic diving gold medalists Lao Lishi and Luo Yutong; the Nanjing Youth Olympic gold medalist Liang Xiaojing; world champions Chen Aizhen, Li Shaozhen, Ou Shaoyan, Liang Sanmei, Liao Xinxin, Liang Wenhao and Li Jiazhao.

·The starting ceremony site of “Zhaoqing Marathon”

The event was organized by the Chinese Athletics Association, the People's Government of Zhaoqing City, the Guangdong Provincial Athletics Association, Zhaoqing Sports Bureau, the People's Government of Duanzhou District, the People's Government of Dinghu District and the Administrative Committee of Zhaoqing New Area. It was co-organized by Next Generation Sports (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd., in cooperation with the Guangdong Youth Sports Federation, and was promoted by Guangzhou Ocean Wide Sports Co., Ltd. Times China is the title sponsor.

Amid an Electric Atmosphere, Leaders and Runners Get Ready to Start

This year marks the 900th anniversary of the naming of Zhaoqing. In order to highlight this unique historical feature, the Organizing Committee specially invited ten 90-year-olds, nine 10-year-olds and nine sports stars to create a souvenir for the 900th anniversary of Zhaoqing's naming before the starting ceremony.

·Ninety-year-olds, 10-year-olds and star athletes create a souvenir for the 900th anniversary of Zhaoqing's naming

Mr. Chen Xuanqun, vice mayor of the Zhaoqing Municipal Government, presided over the countdown as the field of runners got ready to go. Zhaoqing City Mayor Mr. Fan Zhongjie, who is also the deputy secretary of the Zhaoqing Municipal CPC Committee, led the main leaders and guests to start the marathon with a whistle, whereupon the competitors in the full marathon embarked on the course. Subsequently, the leaders, guests, 90-year-olds, children and mini-marathon runners started running together.

·Leaders of the Organizing Committee and guests start the marathon with a whistle

10,000+ Runners in Two Groups Spare No Pains and Set the Site on Fire

The latest edition of the Zhaoqing Marathon included a mini-marathon and full marathon, the larger of which was the city's first. It drew 20,235 contestants from 19 countries and regions to register. Ultimately, 5,000 of 15,000 participants raced in the full marathon and 10,000 ran in the mini-marathon.

·Runners go all out toward the finish line

The carefully planned route stretched from the ancient city to the present-day development. Starting at Paifang Square, the runners passed Qixingyan, Xinghu and other landmarks on their way toward the business center in the new area. The route displayed a panoramic view of the characteristics of Zhaoqing as a national historical and cultural city as well as an outstanding tourism city, so all the participants had a pleasant environment in which to compete. The contestants kept moving forward, striving to break through personal barriers and surged toward the common goal, thus displaying their energy and admirable spirit. Crowds of enthusiastic spectators cheered for the contestants, adding to the spectacle.

·The scene is very spectacular with spectators enthusiastically cheering for the contestants.

Kenya's Silas and Jepto won the men's and women's championships with times of 2.23.30 and 2.47.53, respectively. Su Xiaoming, an eighth-grader from Songde Secondary School, won the mini-marathon championship.

·Runners gather at the finish line

After the competition, Mr. Fan Zhongjie, deputy secretary of Zhaoqing Municipal CPC Committee and mayor of Zhaoqing City, and Mr. Wang Yuping, director of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province, presented the medals and trophies to the men's marathon winners, respectively. Mr. Chen Xuanqun, vice mayor of the Zhaoqing Municipal Government, and Mr. Zhang Bo, deputy general manager of Times China Enterprise Affairs and Brand Center, awarded the prizes to the women's marathon winners.

·Mr. Fan Zhongjie, deputy secretary of Zhaoqing Municipal CPC Committee and mayor of Zhaoqing City, and Mr. Wang Yuping, director of Sports Bureau of Guangdong Province, award the prizes to the men's marathon winners

·Mr. Chen Xuanqun, vice mayor of the Zhaoqing Municipal Government, and Mr. Zhang Bo, deputy general manager of Times China Enterprise Affairs and Brand Center, award the prizes to the women's marathon winners

The Wonderful Zhaoqing Marathon Comes to a Successful End and Times China Take New Steps

As the only city in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area bordering Southwest China, Zhaoqing is the key hub of the westward development of the Greater Bay Area and the eastward development of Southwest China, as well as the most beautiful ecological oasis in the Greater Bay Area. This marathon summed up the experience of the previous three Zhaoqing Marathon events, made inheritance and breakthroughs in terms of the scale and the route of the race, and highlighted the historical and cultural features of Zhaoqing.

Times China has always been enthusiastic about participating in the development of China's sports industry. In recent years, Times China has sponsored many important domestic and international competitions, such as the Foshan 50KM Hike and the Challenge Across of South-North China, and sponsored the only CBA Times China Team of Guangzhou as its title sponsor. That Times China served as the title sponsor of Zhaoqing Marathon this time marked an inheritance of the tradition that the enterprise has been actively responding to the call of the nation and supporting countrywide sports activities. Times China stimulated the enthusiasm of the general public, marked a new step toward the development of the Pearl River Delta, and brought more vibrancy and splendidness to urban development.