Race combines athletic meet with good fun

Participants start their race. [Photo provided to China Daily]

More than 10,000 runners joined a half and a mini marathons in Xianlin district, in Jiangsu's provincial capital, Nanjing, on May 7.

The district sits in the green corridor east of Nanjing and boasts great mountain and river views. It has served as a training facility for the national track and field team since 2012.

The marathon was hosted by the Chinese Athletic Association and local government authorities and aims to spice up the city life.

"The beautiful scenery greatly eased my fatigue," says a local runner surnamed Li.

More than 4,000 contestants opted for the 21.1-kilometer race. Emanuel Giniki Gisamoda from Tanzania won the men's race with a time of 62 minutes and 29 seconds and Rebecca Cheptegei from Uganda topped the women's group, finishing in 75 minutes and 22 seconds.

A few thousand more participants had fun in the 5-kilometer race.

A group of college girls dressed in fairy costumes and couples in matching outfits were highlights of the running event.

Children run at 2017 Nanjing Xianlin Half Marathon. [Photo provided to China Daily]