20,000 compete in first Xi'an International Marathon

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Alemayehu Lema from Ethiopia became the first champion of 2017 Xi'an International Marathon on Saturday, while Khishigsaikhan Galbadrakh from Mongolia claimed the title in women's race.

This is the first of an intended regular marathon event in Xi'an, Shaanxi Province. A total of 20,000 runners, from 26 countries and regions, attended the event which began at 7:30 am under the 600-year-old Yongning Gate with 6,000 runners challenging themselves to the full marathon.

Alemayehu Lema from Ethiopia completed the race in 2:16:02 to win the 1st edition of Xi'an International Marathon. Lhoussaine Oukhrid of Morocco trailed in 2:16:15, while Qiu Wangdong made the best record among native runners when he finished third in 2:20:58.

2017 Xi'an International Marathon /CNR Photo

"The trail makes it easy for us to create a personal best record, and I did it," said Qiu Wangdong, a student studying in Northwest Normal University.

In the women's race, Mongolia's Khishigsaikhan Galbadrakh claimed the title in 2:37:10. Kenya's Priscila Kipruto and Sarah Lagat placed second and third respectively.

The ancient culture of Xi'an includes many relics and attractions, some of which are along the race route, including the Qin Er Shi Mausoleum of the Qin Dynasty, Daming Gong Palace of the Tang Dynasty and the Bell Tower of the Ming Dynasty.

912km

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency