By Yuling Chen, iChongqing News

At 8:38, on the morning of March 17th, as the starting gun sounded, nearly 5,000 runners from all over the world rushed out of the starting line and kicked off in Southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality. Moreover, Huaxia Bank Cup 2019 Chongqing Beibei Jinyun Mountain Forest Mountain Marathon took place in the Jinyun Mountain Scenic Area.

Huaxia Bank Cup 2019 Chongqing Beibei Jinyun Mountain Forest Mountain Marathon takes place on March 17th, 2019, in Southwest China's Chongqing Municipality. (Photo from the Organizing Committee)

They used passion and speed to make Jinyun Mountain a feast for runners. After fierce competition, in the end, Ethiopian Milkessa Guta Alemu and Kenyan Isgah Cheruto won the half marathon men's and women's championships in 1 hour, 16 minutes and 34 seconds and 1 hour 29 minutes and 38 seconds respectively.

Award ceremony (Photo by Li Ye)

5000 runners and two foreigners won

The marathon has set up a half marathon (21.0975 km) and a mini one (6 km). It includes 3,000 in the half and 2,000 in the mini.

According to the organizing committee, the forest marathon attracted 4,967 domestic and foreign professional players, amateurs and marathon enthusiasts to sign up for the competition. Among them, 2,967 participated in the half marathon and 2,000 participated in the mini. Among the contestants, the oldest is 65 years old and the youngest 8. Meanwhile, it also attracted 16 foreign players including the United Kingdom, Ethiopia, Kenya, Thailand, Pakistan and other countries and regions.

The half marathon group accepts the top 50 male and female runners respectively according to the net timing results. Moreover, each receives a prize of at least RMB 100 and a maximum of RMB  3,000.

Running in forest

He enjoys a lot running in the forest. (Photo by Liu Chan)

In the track, runners experienced the joy of running on different roads such as flat and winding roads, forest and hiking trails. The terrain varied, interspersed with each other. It was challenging and interesting.

"Taking part in the mountain marathon is a great experience. It is like running in a natural oxygen bar in Jinyun Mountain." Gao Jinggang, the third-ranked player in the men's team, said. He just traveled in Chongqing recently and registered for the competition.

The international sports event fully displayed tourism resources

From the organizing committee, in recent years, Beibei has made great efforts to develop sports undertakings with its unique geographical, cultural and ecological advantages, and made great progress in mass sports and competitive sports. The international sports event fully displayed tourism resources in the district.

Beibei will further set up a platform for sports events, strengthen exchanges and economic and trade cooperation. It will promote development through cultural tourism, enhance the attractiveness and influence of Beibei District.