Nearly 3,000 marathon enthusiasts from more than 20 countries and regions measured the magnificent Great Wall and pleasant countryside with their footsteps, adding infinite passion and vitality to Jizhou in early summer.
At 6:00 in the morning, the first rays of sunshine in the morning shone on the winding and undulating Huangyaguan Great Wall, and the contestants came to the square one after another to warm up. As the competition approached, the atmosphere became more and more enthusiastic, the dynamic music continued to reverberate, and the atmosphere of passion and joy was instantly filled.
At 7:30 a.m., with the sound of the starting gun, the contestants rushed out of the starting line with the cheers of the audience to start their own happy journey, and it was an adventure journey through thousand-year-old monuments and vibrant villages. All the way forward, the contestants ran along the Great Wall Highway through the Taiping Village, climbed the enemy towers, and then crossed the Shuiguan City Wall and Zhengguan City Tower, passed through the villages along the Lu River, crossed the fields, and went around the reservoir, taking in the architectural style of the Great Wall and the mountain landform in summer.
It is this challenging route that attracts marathon enthusiasts from all over the world every year. In addition to admiring the Great Wall, it is also a way for people to challenge themselves. In addition, the original ecological track and unique cultural charm of folk customs are also important factors to attract many overseas participants. The contestants had a very deep feeling about this event.
Mark Dixon, Full Marathon Winner: I enjoyed the event, the people were very welcoming, and I loved China. All the routes and landscapes are incomparably vivid and beautiful. The Great Wall is magnificent, and the mountains on both sides are beautiful, mesmerizing, and undoubtedly wonderful and exciting. I would love to come back here when I have the chance, it's so beautiful and you can feel a lot of Chinese culture, I really love it.
An Jia, a German runner: This is my first marathon. The view of the Great Wall is beautiful and breathtaking. The route of this event was difficult, but seeing the scenery around me, I felt that I had the motivation to keep going again, and although I was tired, I was really excited to participate in this event.
Martin: The weather was nice today, but we didn't have a long way to go, so it was a great event. I live in Suzhou, China, so I've competed a lot in China. Will definitely come back if you have the chance.
Bogdan, Armenia: This is my second time on the Great Wall, but this is the first time I have raced on the Great Wall. It was amazing, the view and the route were satisfying.
Ana Isabel García Rodas, Republic of Guatemala: I felt some pain, but I was satisfied with finishing the race in first place. Walking at the foot of the Great Wall also makes me feel good. The route was really challenging, but I felt a lot of history, which inspired me to come here and finish the course. It was great to be able to run a marathon on the Great Wall, and I am grateful to China for allowing me to have this unforgettable experience.
65-year-old Danish runner Henrik Brant, as a foreign runner who has participated in the 21st Huangyaguan Great Wall Marathon in a row, wrote his running experience into a book and presented it to a friend who ran together.
Henrik Brandt, Denmark: Actually, it was a coincidence that I participated in the first Great Wall Marathon, and it made me think that it was great to run a marathon here. It was also one of my most memorable marathons. I really like the feeling of coming here again and again, and as long as I can do it, I will continue to run here, it has become a status symbol for me, and people have given me the nickname - The Great Wall.
Reprinted with the palm of Jizhou
Our correspondent reports
Editor: Tang Xiaoxia
Editor-in-charge: Wang Xiaogang
Review: Guo Aibin
Supervisor: Hou Aimin