The 34th Dalian Marathon started with a gunshot. Chinese runners won the championship in both men’s and women’s categories.

On October 20th, the 34th Dalian Marathon kicked off with nearly 30,000 participants from 32 countries and regions. In a remarkable display of skill, Chinese athletes He Jie and Ding Changqin claimed the titles in the men’s and women’s full marathon categories.

The event, jointly organized by the Liaoning Provincial Sports Bureau and the Dalian Municipal Government, featured three main events: the full marathon, half marathon, and a fun run. The race took place in the bustling Donggang business district of Dalian, with the course winding through popular city streets, including Renmin Road, Zhongshan Road, and Ganglong Road.

At 7:30 AM, the starting gun sounded, and the runners surged forward, embarking on their city-wide journey. After an intense competition, He Jie triumphed with a time of 2:14:41, securing first place in the men’s division. Kenyan runner David Kimutai Koech and Ethiopia’s Gadisa Worku Negash followed closely, finishing second and third with times of 2:14:51 and 2:15:00, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the women’s division, Ding Changqin crossed the finish line as champion with a time of 2:34:10. Reflecting on the race, He Jie noted, “Although the wind was a bit strong today, I achieved my expected goals. I’m really satisfied with my performance on such a challenging course. This is my first time in Dalian, and it feels wonderful.” Ding Changqin also shared her experience, stating, “Even though I wasn’t in my best shape today and faced difficulties in the later stages, the cheers and encouragement from the spectators propelled me forward.”

The Dalian International Marathon, which began in 1987, is one of the oldest marathon events in China. It is recognized as a Gold Label event by World Athletics and a Gold Medal event by the Chinese Athletics Association.