5,000 runners complete half marathon on Xi'an circumvallation

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A total of 5,000 runners on Saturday completed a unique half marathon race on Xi'an circumvallation, one of the oldest, largest and best preserved Chinese city walls.

Qiu Wangdong, a student from Xi'an, lifted the men's title of the 2018 Xi'an City Wall International Marathon in time of one hour, seven minutes and 56 seconds.

The race started at 8:30 am (local time) on the Yongning Gate (the south gate) of the city wall.

"I just finished the Yangling marathon last weekend and I felt very exhausted during today's race," said Qiu, who ranked third in the 2017 Xi'an international marathon, another race event held in the northwestern Chinese city.

5,000 runners complete half marathon on Xi'an circumvallation. /VCG Photo

"Finally I overcome all obstacles to claim the title and I'm so pleased I made it," he added.

Feng Chaojie clocked in 1:28:14 to take the gold medal of the women's race.

Xi'an's city wall was built more than 600 years ago during the Ming Dynasty.

"The landscape is amazing and the people are so friendly. I have never seen a marathon with such a view of the mixing of historical and modern buildings," said David Morgan, a runner from the United States.

5,000 runners complete half marathon on Xi'an circumvallation. /VCG Photo

Xi'an City Wall International Marathon, launched in 1993, has attracted more than 60,000 attendants from nearly 60 countries and regions.

According to the organizers, in order to protect the ancient city wall, the event allows a limited number of participants. With 5,000 lucky runners out of 30,000 applicants, this year's race featured a half marathon, 5km mini-marathon and 13.7km marathon, the circumference of Xi'an ancient city wall.

921km

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency