On the Run
Marathons are proving to be a victory for mass fitness in China
Listen closely. Can you hear that? It’s the sound of millions of feet pounding the roads in China, and it’s getting louder with every step. Marathon fever is sweeping the country.
Looking back to the early stages of marathons in China, Huang Weikang, former editorin-chief of Track and Field magazine, said that 10 years ago, despite the bustle on the street, most citizens were mere onlookers during the Beijing Marathon.
“At that time, a marathon was simply an ornamental event in China, like a ballet or an opera performance. The public’s participation and passion were not high. But now, it seems the running craze is gradually reaching fever pitch,” Huang said.
In China, large-scale international marathons in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou, capital of south China’s Guangdong Province, are attracting high demand for entry tickets the minute registration is announced. Hundreds of thousands of applicants compete not only for the top prize, but to win a place in the event. Running enthusiasts across the country go out of their way and spend large sums of money— even on airfares—in order to participate and compete in these and other road races.
Statistics from the Chinese Athletic Association (CAA) showed that in 2017, a total of 1,100 marathon events with a size of 800 competitors or more took place across 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities in China. Nearly 5 million runners registered as participants in the races, an increase of close to 2.2 million compared with 2016.
Government support, social participation and strong marketing by the sports industry have gradually led to the rapid development of the marathon industry, which is currently valued at 70 billion yuan ($10.77 billion). To date, the industry has created an estimated 720,000 jobs nationwide, according to the CAA official website.
More than fitness
In recent years, China’s ever-growing fascination with marathons has been triggered by its economic development and health-conscious middle class. According to the 2016 China Sports Consumption Ecology Report released by the 21st Century Economic Research Institute and e-commerce platform Jd.com, a large proportion of marathon runners are whitecollar workers, civil servants and businesspeople who are keen on leading a healthy lifestyle.
“No other sport requires such simple entry to participate. All you need is a good pair of running shoes and you are ready to hit the road, regardless of age or gender,” said Lu Jin, a marathon enthusiast. As a 45-year-old surgeon in Beijing, Lu started with half-marathons three years ago for a simple purpose: maintaining fitness. Now, he is an old hand at the sport and has participated in many international marathons.
“Running a marathon gives you a stronger heart and lungs; more defined legs, glute and stomach muscles; better posture; possible weight loss and increased strength and endurance,” Lu told Beijing Review. However, the benefits of running a marathon are far more than physical. “Many people find that as they train, it’s a catalyst for reducing or eliminating unhealthy practices such as smoking, exces-