Runners take off from the starting line. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]
The 2023 COLMO Wuxi Marathon kicked off at 7:30 am on March 19 after a hiatus last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The event, which featured a full marathon, a half marathon and 4-km run, was attended by 33,000 runners.
As the first stop of the National Marathon Championship and the selection race for the 2023 IAAF World Championships in Budapest and the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, the event brought together high-level competitors from around the world.
Enock Onchari from Kenya won the men's category with a time of 2:07:19 - a new event record.
Chinese runners He Jie and Yang Shaohui finished the race in 2:07:30 and 2:07:49, taking second and third place respectively. Both Chinese runners also broke the national record, which was set by Ren Longyun in 2007.
Chinese runner Bai Li won the women's category with her time of 2:26:33.
Since its inception in 2014, the Wuxi Marathon has steadily grown into one of the most well-known running events both in China and the world. It has received recognition from the Chinese Athletics Association, World Athletics, and the Association of International Marathon and Distance Races.
Runners of the half marathon pose for a picture. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]