Runners compete in the Shanghai Marathon in Shanghai on December 1, 2024. Photo: VCG

A total of 14 registered marathon events will be held simultaneously across ­China on Sunday, with nearly 260,000 runners expected to hit the track, according to the official website of China ­Marathon. This weekend is expected to mark the first "Marathon Super Weekend" of the year in China, which is set to spark a nationwide running craze.

Beijing Marathon Women's Group domestic champion Liu Min told the Global Times that with the increasing popularity of marathon events across China, the level of excitement has also been rising. 

"Marathons have evolved into an important platform for showcasing city culture, promoting national fitness, and driving social development," she noted.

Marathons across China are increasingly integrating local cultural elements. Through race routes that cover city landmarks, refreshment stations offering regional delicacies, and race medals featuring traditional designs, each city's unique character is being showcased and spread through the act of running.

The Wuhan Marathon in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei Province, and Wuxi Marathon in Wuxi, East China's Jiangsu Province, both Gold Label Road Races according to the World Athletics Road Running Label standards, will also start on Sunday.

As the first marathon race to be upgraded to a Gold Label Event, the Wuhan Marathon has attracted over 450,000 registrations, setting a record for marathon participation in China, according to reports from the People's Daily.

This race will feature three events: the full marathon, half marathon, and a 13-kilometer run. The race has expanded from 30,000 participants in 2024 to 40,000 in 2025. It will implement a staggered start with three separate starting guns, with a 10-minute interval between each, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

Wuhan's iconic landmarks, such as the Hankow Customs House and Lingbo Gate, will return to the Wuhan Marathon course. Runners will also pass by scenic spots like the Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge and Wuhan East Lake Greenway, offering them a chance to experience the natural and cultural landscapes of Wuhan.

Similar to the Wuhan Marathon, the Wuxi Marathon also showcases the city's ecological highlights along the way. Starting at Taihu Avenue, the first half passes by the Bogong Island Ecology Park, Lihu Lake, Shili Fangdi, Yuantouzhu, and Changguangxi Wetland Park. The second half enters the Wuxi Economic Development Zone, covering the Shangxianhe Wetland.

According to Gu Wenlong, from the Wuxi Municipal People's Government, the "Sakura Course" is the standout feature of this event, as Sunday coincides with the peak blooming period of cherry blossoms in Wuxi. With about 30,000 cherry blossom trees at Yuantouzhu creating a sea of flowers, the course will be surrounded by falling pink petals.

"Runners will feel the gentle touch of petals on their faces while racing; they will be immersed in the poetic beauty and ecological charm of Wuxi's spring, with the shimmering waves of Lihu Lake and the cherry blossoms' rosy glow," he said. "During the run, they will experience the beauty of Wuxi's mountains and rivers, its cultural elegance, and the vitality of its development."

Today, marathons have taken on the mission of driving local cultural and tourism development.

According to the High-quality Development Report of Road Races in China published by the People's Daily, marathons, as mass participation sports events, can create significant derivative value for local tourism, dining, accommodation, and other service industries.

Taking the 2024 Wuxi Marathon as an example, it is estimated that it generated an economic benefit of approximately 280 million yuan ($38.7 million), a 45.5 percent increase compared to 2023. Among this, dining and accommodation sectors contribute the most, generating 127 million yuan and 117 million yuan respectively.

"As we can see, hosting marathon events provides urban development multiple types of value," Zhang Wenzhi, a professional responsible for marathon course management based in Beijing, told the Global Times on Thursday.

"During this Marathon Super Weekend, what we see is not only the enthusiasm of 260,000 runners, but also China's cities innovatively telling their own stories through sports events," he noted.

Zhang said that organizers need to strike a balance between event management and cultural presentation.

"The design of the aid stations should not only meet the physical needs of runners but also showcase the city's culture by offering local specialty foods," he said. "Details like medal designs and volunteer uniforms that match the city's characteristics can also incorporate cultural elements, allowing runners to continue experiencing the city's unique charm even after the race."

Zhang said he hopes that in the future, more marathon races will continue improving in professionalism and internationalization, while also focusing on the excavation and dissemination of cultural content.