The upcoming April 21, 2024, may be remembered by a large number of people because of the "popularity" of the marathon on this day.
On this day, 53 events were held across the country, attracting nearly 470,000 participants.
This is also a shocking data from a global perspective, but what factors drove the "marathon fever" on April 21?
The charm of the April Road Run
Every April, spring is full of spring and the temperature is suitable, which is the best time for outdoor sports.
On April 21, 53 races were held across the country, attracting a total of 466,000 participants, setting a new record for the number of runners in a single day.
This phenomenon is not accidental, it is attracted by the unique charm of the April Road Run.
The weather in April is almost perfect for long-distance running. Avoiding both the cold of winter and the scorching heat of summer, the moderate temperature provides the ideal environment for sports.
The natural landscape of spring brings an extra visual pleasure to runners, with blooming flowers, verdant grass and fresh air on the roadside, making people feel the charm of nature while running.
All of these factors combine to make April a great event for road runners, with everyone involved finding their own reason and motivation to enjoy the joy and challenge of running together.
Therefore, this period is a concentrated period of many important events, not only large-scale marathon events, such as Qingdao Marathon (25,000 people), Nantong Marathon (25,000 people), Baoding Marathon (20,000 people), but also many regional races, each with its own characteristics, to meet the needs of runners of different levels.
The contest was exciting
Among the 53 events, events such as the Qingdao Marathon, Nantong Marathon and Shanghai Half Marathon have attracted much attention. Runners who value quality are more likely to choose these events that have been certified by the Athletics Association, making the April 21 race even more exciting and worthwhile.
Each competition is not only an extreme challenge to the athlete's body, but also a visual feast and spiritual baptism.
The Qingdao Marathon is known for its beautiful coastal scenery, providing participants with an unforgettable running experience and attracting the attention of countless photography enthusiasts and travel enthusiasts.
The Nantong Marathon has won wide acclaim from the runners for its professional event organization and perfect logistics support.
The Shanghai Half Marathon, as one of the most influential running events in China, attracts a large number of top runners at home and abroad every year.
It is these high-quality events, combined with the rigorous accreditation of the Association of Athletics, that ensure the professionalism and spectacle of the event, making April 21 a day of frenzy for runners across the country.
The certification system drives the event
In addition to the advantages of the natural environment and the enthusiasm of the athletes for the challenge, the new event certification management rules to be introduced by the Association of Athletics in May will undoubtedly play an important role in the explosive growth of the event in April.
After the May Day holiday, the threshold for marathon certification will be raised, stipulating that the same organizing committee shall not hold more than two events in a row of 8 days.
The implementation of the new regulations means that all of these upcoming standards, from the difficulty of certification to the operational standards, pose a challenge for event organizers.
At the point when the rules are about to change, many organizing committees choose to hold competitions before the implementation of the new regulations, in order to avoid the complex review process and higher operational entry barriers brought about by the new regulations.
This phenomenon is not accidental. Under the pressure of the new regulations, the early holding of events will ensure that the organizers will be able to hold the tournament according to the existing standards before the new regulatory framework is fully implemented, thus avoiding the increased uncertainty and operational complexity of the event.
At the same time, it also allows them to take advantage of the existing approval process and avoid the delays and hurdles that may be encountered under the new system.
This strategic adjustment not only ensured that the event could run smoothly, but also that the enthusiasm of the competitors was sustained without being affected by complex rules and uncertain preparation processes.
With April 21 as the culmination, numerous races, the right climate and excellent organization try to give runners the best possible experience.
In the future, with the implementation of the new certification system, we look forward to seeing more high-quality races emerge and push the Chinese marathon to new heights.
Which marathon will you participate in on April 21st?