The fifth Suzhou Jinji Lake International Half Marathon Event is being hosted by the Chinese Athletics Association, Jiangsu Sports Bureau and Suzhou government. It is organized by the Suzhou Industrial Park administrative committee, Suzhou sports bureau and Suzhou Wisdom Media. It is co-organized by the Suzhou Industrial Park sports council, Suzhou Industrial Park Volunteer Association, Suzhou Industrial Park Commerce and Tourism Development Corporation, and Suzhou Culture Expo Centre. The event has been listed as a national sports event for the second time.

This year’s event started at 9 am on March 30. It included a half-marathon (21.1km), short marathon (around 11km), mini marathon (around 5km) and family marathon (around 2.5km). To meet different needs, a short marathon was added this year, which starts from Moon Wharf and ends at Linrui Square. The race track winds around Jinji Lake – a national 5A scenic spot. It is considered one of the most beautiful tracks by marathon lovers nationwide. Athletes and spectators can both experience Suzhou as a traditional waterside town as well as a modern industrialized city.

The marathon has attracted more than 20,000 participants, 7,000 of them chose the half-marathon. Chinese marathon lovers are so enthusiastic that within 60 hours the half-marathon registration was full. The youngest participant is 4 years old while the oldest is 92. Athletes will attend from about 30 countries and areas, such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Japan, the US, Britain, France and Germany. According to statistics, more than 1,000 people hail from EMBA and business schools, and about 10,000 people come from places near Suzhou and other cities.

 Preparatory work is now underway. Many associations and volunteer groups support the event, including over 1,000 volunteers from volunteer groups, colleges and enterprises organized by the Suzhou Industrial Park Volunteer Association. About 500 policemen and 100 medical staff are on the spot to guarantee safety. Over 200 national and provincial referees will ensure fairness.

The marathon event aims to spread the marathon spirit, facilitate cultural exchanges and forge an influential international sports event held in Suzhou. It will also promote the Jinji Lake scenic spot, develop Suzhou’s modern service industry, and build a great platform for international commercial and cultural communication.