Runners compete during the 2024 Shenzhen Marathon yesterday. Photos by Liu Xudong

Runners are met with cheers and encouragement from spectators, supporters, and volunteers stationed along the route in Shenzhen yesterday.

The Shenzhen Marathon route includes the city's trunk roads, landmarks and tourist attractions.

Media workers and spectators use their devices to record the event in Shenzhen yesterday.

Shenzhen's streets came alive yesterday as 20,000 runners from over 30 countries and regions hit the pavement at 7:30 a.m for the 2024 Shenzhen Marathon, celebrating endurance, community, and the thrill of the race. The marathon began at the Civic Center in Futian District and ended at Binhai Plaza in Bao'an District. 

The route included trunk roads such as Shennan Boulevard and Shahe Road West, as well as landmarks and tourist attractions like the Window of the World, Shenzhen Bay Park, the Universiade Torch Tower, Nantou Ancient Town, and the Qianhai Stone.

About 1,500 kilometers away, on the same day, 38,000 runners participated in the 2024 Shanghai Marathon. Marathons are not restricted to major Chinese cities. During the first week of November, more than 30 marathons took place nationwide, including in Beijing, Hangzhou, and Xi'an, drawing over 450,000 runners from around the globe.

This marathon boom is driving growth not only in the sports industry but also in urban economies across China.

Marathon fever

The surge in marathon participation is part of a wider trend that has been gaining ground in China for several years. A report from the Chinese Athletics Association identifies the period from 2016 to 2019 as a time of rapid growth, with 1,828 road races held in 2019.

Following the pandemic, marathon events have surged back to life in China, with nearly 700 races held nationwide in 2023 alone. Early spring and late autumn, in particular, see cities transformed by running events.

"What's remarkable is that marathons have become trendy events in cities — a trend not confined to professional athletes but one that is increasingly attracting ordinary fitness enthusiasts," said Wang Zongping, a professor at the Nanjing University of Science and Technology.

The Beijing Marathon, one of China's oldest marathons, remains a bucket-list race for many runners. The 2024 event, held Nov. 3, drew 30,000 participants from 43 countries and regions, with a record-breaking 180,000 applicants.

The Xi'an Marathon, which saw over 35,000 participants and included a half marathon and fun run, evoked widespread enthusiasm among amateur runners.

"Nowadays, securing a marathon slot is as tough as scoring concert tickets," said Zhang Aiping, a Chinese runner, reflecting on the growing competition to participate.

Despite limits on entry qualifications, spots for popular running events in major cities are often filled in minutes.

According to Wang, the rising popularity of marathons is also indicative of a country that is becoming increasingly health-conscious. A 2020 national fitness activities report showed that walking and running are the top two physical activities among Chinese adults, engaging 22.7% and 19.8% of the population, respectively.

"Four years ago, I struggled with obesity, fatty liver disease, and insomnia," said Zhang. "Then I started long-distance running, sticking to about 16 days of training each month. Marathon running has dramatically improved my health, and I've never felt better physically and mentally."

As the country moves toward becoming a sports powerhouse, China is expanding its sports facilities. By the end of 2023, 37.2% of Chinese citizens engaged in regular exercise, supported by 4.59 million sports venues nationwide and an average of 2.89 square meters of sports space per person. Among these are 152,800 fitness trails stretching 371,000 kilometers, enough to circle the globe nine times.

Economic engines

Beyond fitness, marathons have become major economic drivers. In recent years, China's sports industry has flourished, turning marathons into key strategies for local economic growth.

According to a recent report on the outdoor sports industry, large-scale road-running races in China's major cities generate an average revenue of 29.1 million yuan (US$4 million) per event. As of September 2024, China had over 177,000 outdoor-related companies, and the outdoor gear market grew from 67.5 billion yuan in 2019 to 87.2 billion yuan in 2023.

Marathoners like Zhang often invest heavily in gear. "I spend around 10,000 yuan a year on sports-related expenses," he said. Data indicate that 59.34% of marathon participants spend over 1,000 yuan on wearable gear, and spending continues to rise.

The immense popularity of marathons has also drawn an increasing number of corporate sponsors, ranging from traditional sportswear and energy drink brands to banks, insurance companies, home goods retailers, and consumer goods manufacturers.

Spending by out-of-town marathoners on lodging, transport, dining, merchandise, and entertainment infuses fresh money into host cities, stimulating local economies, creating jobs, and boosting tax revenue.

In March 2024, for instance, the Wuxi Marathon generated 283 million yuan in direct economic benefits, with dining and accommodations alone contributing over 243 million yuan.

Outdoor marathons also serve as platforms for local governments to showcase the charm of their locality, and these local governments are eager to host marathons due to the economic benefits they bring.

The influx of participants and tourists, combined with extensive media coverage, translates into economic gains for cities, particularly in the cultural and tourism sectors. Hosting a marathon also offers cities a chance to enhance their image.

For example, the 2024 Tianjin Marathon route featured landmarks like the "Tianjin Eye" Ferris wheel, the Jiefang Bridge, and Minyuan Square, offering runners a scenic and memorable race. Xue Hui, director of the Tianjin Sports Bureau, noted that marathons boost a city's visibility, reputation, and long-term vitality.

For years, the Shenzhen Marathon featured a challenging yet scenic route that showcases the modern urban landscape of Shenzhen, combining both urban landmarks and natural scenery.

The Hangzhou Marathon, held Nov. 3, took 36,000 runners past the city's picturesque West Lake. Similarly, the Zhengzhou Marathon featured traditional Henan opera elements, offering runners a taste of local culture along the route.

"The enhanced reputation, vitality, and influence a city gains from hosting a marathon are invaluable," said Yuan Weiqiang, an official from Wuxi's sports department. On Nov. 3, Wuxi hosted a half-marathon along the scenic Taihu Lake, attracting 20,000 runners and sparking a tourism surge.

"I came here to run, and I've fallen in love with Wuxi," said Wu Zhicheng, a marathoner from Shandong Province. "It's my first time here, and I'll definitely return for more visits."