On January 1st, Foshan hosted its first-ever A1-category full marathon - the Vanward·2024 Shunde Ronggui Circular Island Marathon. The event kicked off with the firing of the starting gun, bringing together over 13,000 athletes from both domestic and international backgrounds to Ronggui, where they welcomed the first rays of sunlight in the new year through the act of running.

Initiated in 1988, the Shunde Ronggui long-distance running tradition, celebrating the new year with a run, has persisted for over 35 years. This year's event saw a fresh upgrade, featuring three categories: the full marathon (42.195 kilometers), half marathon (21.0975 kilometers), and a fun run (approximately five kilometers).

Among the 13,000 participants, individuals from five different countries and regions joined, with domestic participants representing 32 provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities, and special administrative regions. The age range of participants spanned from 1 to 77 years old, showcasing a 76-year age difference.

At 7:30 am, the starting pistol was fired by China's first Olympic champion, Xu Haifeng, and marathon world champion Sun Weiwei. Many participants showcased elaborately designed outfits, carrying flags and spring couplets, adding a festive atmosphere to the event.

After intense and competitive racing, the top three positions in both the marathon and half marathon categories of this edition of the event have been determined. In the men's marathon category, Zhang Zhihao from Chongqing secured the championship with a remarkable time of 2 hours, 28 minutes, and 2 seconds. Wang Mingcheng claimed the second position with a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 10 seconds, while Sun Lifu secured the third position with a time of 2 hours, 29 minutes, and 17 seconds. Moving on to the women's marathon category, Zhong Jiameng from Ganzhou, Jiangxi, emerged as the champion with a time of 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 14 seconds. Chen Lin secured the second position with a time of 3 hours, 2 minutes, and 19 seconds, and Wang Dongmei claimed the third position with a time of 3 hours, 2 minutes, and 22 seconds.

In the men's half marathon category, Ma Zhaojian from Zhaotong, Yunnan, secured the championship with an impressive time of 1 hour, 8 minutes, and 58 seconds. Following closely, Gao Hantao claimed the second position with a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 26 seconds, while Ji Meisong secured the third position with a time of 1 hour, 10 minutes, and 31 seconds.In the women's half marathon category, Zhang Ni from Xiangtan, Hunan, emerged victorious, clinching the championship with a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes, and 24 seconds. Xiao Yan secured the second position with a time of 1 hour, 23 minutes, and 8 seconds, and Wei Chunhua claimed the third position with a time of 1 hour, 25 minutes, and 5 seconds.

The event not only featured cash prizes and trophies but also offered unique prizes such as water heaters, refrigerators, electric bicycles, and iconic Shunde delicacies like roasted goose, chicken, and pigeon.

The organizers integrated cultural elements into the marathon, with 60 themed points showcasing traditional awakening lion dance, Cantonese opera, dragon boat rap, ballroom dancing, and bonsai. Additionally, participants and spectators can enjoy over 120 acres of Persian chrysanthemums and peach blossom viewing points, adding a touch of natural beauty to the event. Along the route, there were also eight special Shunde food supply points where participants could savor traditional delicacies such as "chicken biscuit" and pickled lettuce porridge.

Additionally, a food carnival and Shunde specialty festival were held at the event's finish line at the Fisherman's Wharf, allowing the runners to indulge in the "culinary marathon" experience provided by 30 renowned Shunde restaurants and specialty shops.

Source:Yangcheng Evening News

【图集】佛山：新年来一场“舌尖上的马拉松”

1月1日，佛山市首个A1类全程马拉松——万和·2024顺德容桂环岛马拉松赛正式鸣枪起跑。来自国内外的13000名运动健儿齐聚容桂，一起用跑步迎接新年第一缕阳光。

顺德容桂长跑活动始办于1988年，奔跑迎新年的传统至今已延续超过35年。今年赛事迎来全新升级，同时设置了马拉松（42.195公里）、半程马拉松（21.0975公里）、欢乐跑（约5公里）三个项目。

与此同时，本届赛事一万三千名选手中，有来自5个不同国家和地区，而国内选手来自广东省、广西壮族自治区、湖南省、江西省、北京市、香港等32个省、自治区、直辖市及特别行政区。本次参赛选手年龄最小为1岁，最大的是77岁，年龄相差达76岁。

清晨7时30分，中国首位奥运冠军许海峰、马拉松世界冠军孙伟伟等嘉宾的鸣枪声响起。不少“显眼包”穿着精心设计的衣服，手拎旗子、挥春等物品，让现场气氛更加欢乐。

经过激烈的竞技角逐，本届赛事马拉松组、半程马拉松组项目前三名已经全部出炉。马拉松男子组方面，来自重庆的张治豪以2小时28分2秒的成绩获得冠军，王明程以2小时29分10秒的成绩获得亚军，孙粒富以2小时29分17秒的成绩获得季军。马拉松女子组方面，来自江西赣州的钟佳萌以2小时48分14秒获得冠军，陈琳以3小时2分19秒获得亚军，王冬梅以3小时2分22秒获得季军。

半程马拉松男子组方面，来自云南昭通的马昭尖以1小时8分58秒获得冠军，高汉涛以1小时10分26秒获得亚军，冀美松以1小时10分31秒获得季军。半程马拉松女子组方面，来自湖南湘潭的张妮以1小时20分24秒获得冠军，肖艳以1小时23分8秒获得亚军，韦春华以1小时25分5秒获得季军。

据介绍，本次奖品，除了有奖金、奖杯外，还有热水器、冰箱、电动自行车等，以及烧鹅、烧鸡、烧乳鸽等顺德最具代表性的美食。

据了解，本次赛事组委会特别设置了60个氛围点融入醒狮、粤曲、龙舟说唱、国标舞、盆景等非遗特色及传统文化元素，以及120多亩波斯菊、桃花观赏点。此外，沿途设置8个特色顺德特色美食补给点可以品尝到非遗美食鸡仔饼、咸生菜粥等传统美食。

此外，主办方在赛事终点渔人码头片区举办美食嘉年华暨顺德特产节，30家顺德餐饮名店、特产店让跑友一站式体验“舌尖上的马拉松”。

文 | 记者 杨苑莹
图 | 记者 梁正杰 杨苑莹（署名除外）
翻译｜刘佳慧