Most beautiful marathon route winds through Lijiang

Over 8,000 marathon lovers completed their journey of up to 42.2 km in the Old Town of Lijiang, Yunnan province, on Nov 26 at the 2017 Phicomm Lincomb Lijiang International Marathon.

"It's a great chance to experience the unique glamour of the marathon and the beautiful natural scenery of Lijiang, as well as its profound history and culture," said Xiao Zhongwan, vice mayor of Lijiang Municipal People's Government.

A line of marathoners runs through the stony lanes in the Old Town of Lijiang on Nov 26. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]

The competition organized a full marathon of 42.2 kilometers, a half marathon of 21.1 kilometers and 4.5-kilometer happy run to satisfy all runners at different physical fitness levels.

Zhang Deshun, who won the silver medal in the women's 10,000-meter race at the 13th Games of the People's Republic of China, won the half marathon.

Zhang said, "It's my second time to run here in Lijiang. I've never trained in a high altitude area before, but the high altitude landscapes and stony lanes in the Old Town of Lijiang left a deep impression in my mind."

The winner of the male full marathon breaks the ribbon at the 2017 Phicomm Lincomb Lijiang International Marathon. [Photo by He Zhanhui/ xinhuanet.com]

The race track was designed to pass through famous scenic spots in Lijiang, including Heilong Pond Park, Red Sun Square, Dayan Old Town, Shuhe Old Town, Baisha Old Town and the Colorful Flower Sea, according to Gu Guoping, founder and CEO of Phicomm, organizer of this year's event.

Some 800 volunteers from public and local schools and 400 medical volunteers were organized to safeguard the runners.

Over 8,000 marathon lovers wait to start their run at the foot of Yulong Snow Mountain in Lijiang. [Photo/xinhuanet.com]