Rock 'n' roll marathon strikes a chord

Runners take part in the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Chengdu in Dujiangyan, a city under the administration of Chengdu, Sichuan province, on Saturday. Photo by Jia Zilai/chinadaily.com.cn

The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Chengdu hit all the right notes in Sichuan province on the weekend.

A total of 12,500 runners from 37 countries, including China, France, Pakistan, South Africa and the United States, participated in the race - the first Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series event to be staged in Asia - in Dujiangyan, a city near Chengdu, on Saturday.

Runners were treated to stunning scenery around the course, which took in tourist sites such as Guanxian Ancient City, Flying Sand Weir, Fish Mouth Levee, Panda Valley and Qingcheng Mount.

Live bands and musicians lifted runners' spirits along the route, while beer flowed and participants partied at the finish line during a post-race concert, which lasted well into the evening and featured seven acts from home and abroad.

Yan Zhujun, an official with the race's organizing committee, said Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Chengdu is a fun-filled alternative to the more serious events on the calendar.

Zhao Hao and Mo Zilin, both of China, won the men's and women's races respectively.

The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series debuted in the United States in 1998.