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2017 China Songshan Shaolin International Marathon Kicks Off

On October 29, 2017, China Songshan Shaolin International Marathon, co-hosted by Zhengzhou Administration of Sport and Dengfeng Municipal People's Government, kicked off at the foot of Songshan Mountain. This year’s racing, comprising full marathon, half marathon and mini marathon, with its routes slightly adjusted from the previous one, attracted nearly 5,000 marathoners from more than 10 countries and regions.

Following heated competition,  Sendeku Alelgn from Ethiopia crowned male’s full marathon champion with 2 hours 28 minutes and 2 seconds; while Li Xiuyan from China finished first in female's full marathon, clocking in at 3 hours 8 minutes and 56 seconds. And the crowns of the male’s and female’s half marathons were respectively taken by Wang Long and Song Haoge—both from China, finishing in 1 hour 20 minutes and 16 seconds and 1 hour 39 minutes and 48 seconds respectively.

In recent years, Dengfeng has striven to build unique event brands like “tourism + sports” and “tourism + festivals” and enhance the significance of these brands, so as to drive fast development of the city’s tourism sector.

It is reported that more cultural elements of Songshan Shaolin were blended into this year's event, such as the unique Zen sportwear and the Shaolin Baduanjin-style warm-up exercises. Besides, authentic Shaolin Kung Fu performances were presented at the scene, exclusive medical care was provided by warrior monks at Shaolin Medicine, and all medals were blessed by Shaolin eminent monks.

Copyright by Zhengzhou Municipal Tourism Administration