Cityincreasesmarathonscapto15000

From: Shenzhen Daily

Updated: 2014-08-28 10:08

RACE organizers have increased the cap for this year"s Shenzhen International Marathon, to be held at 8 a.m. Dec. 7, to 15,000 racers, 5,000 more than the previous year.

Participants include 3,000 full-length runners (500 more than the previous year), 4,000 for half-length runners (double the number of 2013), and 8,000 6-km runners, organizers announced at a press conference yesterday.

The increase of participants, especially for 6-km runners, is to encourage more residents to participate in the races, which are aimed at being a sports gala of sorts.

The international marathon will award a total of US$142,000 in cash prizes to the top eight full-length runners in the women"s and men"s division.

"The organizers will present the two overall winners with US$30,000 each, but the award will drop to US$20,000 if the winner fails to finish the race in 2 hours and 11 minutes in the men"s division, and 2 hours and 30 minutes in the women"s division," Ke Gangming, an official with Shenzhen"s tourism and sports administration, said yesterday.

Interested participants and runners can start registering for the race online Sept. 9 at sz-marathon.com. The deadline for the application is Oct. 10.

The top 10 Shenzheners who run the full marathon will be awarded 2,000 yuan each, according to Ke.

Two options for the race routes are being considered and the final route will be revealed after approval by the city government.

Organizers state that the marathon will start and end at Shenzhen Civic Center in Futian District. The first route travels west along Shennan Boulevard toward Nantou High School, then turns toward Heping Road in Luohu District and back to the Civic Center.

The second route brings racers west along Shennan Road to Nantou High School and then turns to Binhai Road going east along Binhe Boulevard before ending at the Civic Center.

To ensure the safety of runners, organizers have designated six hospitals along the route and will set up food, water and toilet stations according to international standards.

This is the second year for the city to organize such an event. In 2013, the first urban marathon attracted 10,000 participants from 33 countries and regions. The organizers also won a bronze medal conferred by the Chinese Athletic Association for their successful organization.

There are 43 marathons in China, either full-length or half-length, that are accredited by the National Marathon Office under the Chinese Athletic Association.

Source:Shenzhen Daily