Guiyang Marathon 2024 held in cool weather

The 2024 Guiyang Marathon takes place in Guiyang on June 16. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

At 7:30 am on June 16, the 2024 Guiyang Marathon took place in cool, 19 C weather – in Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province – with 32,000 participants from around the world surging across the starting line, ready to embrace the excitement of the race.

The Guiyang Marathon stood out among 1,000 marathon events across China, earning certification as a World Athletics Label Road Race in 2024.

This year's marathon started at the North Square of the Guiyang International Conference and Exhibition Center in Guiyang. The course took runners through scenic spots such as Guanshanhu Park, Yueshanhu Wetland Park, Karst Park and Quanhu Park, offering an experience that took in Guiyang's gripping natural beauty.

After hard-fought competition, Guizhou native Cen Wanjiang successfully defended his title in the men's full marathon, finishing in 2 hr 20 min 33 sec. Ethiopian runner Heyi Tebalu Zawude secured second place with a time of 2:22:22, while Kenyan athlete Gachaga Morris Munene came in third at 2:25:19.

Winners of the men's full marathon receive their honors. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

In the women's full marathon, Ethiopian runner Robi Genet Tadesse claimed victory with a time of 2:44:22 and Guizhou native Zhang Shanshan finished second in 2:53:46, followed by Chinese runner Wang Wentian, who took third place with a time of 2:54:12.

In the half marathon, Chinese runner Liu Xu won the men's category with a time of 1:8:34. Kenyan athlete Muhia Kennedy Njogu finished second at 1:9:23 and Chinese runner Zhao Guohu was placed third at 1:11:37.

For the women's half marathon, Guizhou's Ding Changqin emerged victorious with a time of 1:14:8. Ethiopian runner Beyene Bete Hemasmare finished second at 1:17:32 and Guizhou's Wang Min secured third place with a time of 1:18.