Monday November 13th, 2023
Yangzhou, China
Distance: Half Marathon
Offical Race Web Site
The Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon takes place in April in Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China.
The event is named in honor of Jianzhen, a Chinese monk from the city who propagated Buddhismin Japan in the 8th century. The event was first held in 2006 and grew exponentially in its first six years: it gained IAAF Silver Label Road Race status in 2010 and began to attract elite and amateur runners alike. Almost 3000 runners finished the half marathon in 2011, while the introduction of a 10K fun run that year saw 25,000 runners take part in the day's event. The race is predominantly Chinese, although 230 foreign athletes were present in 2011. East African athletes typically occupy the higher places in the elite races.
The very flat, point-to-point course is certified by the Association of International Marathons. The city-centre course begins and ends at the Stadium of Yangzhou Sport Center and passes many of the city's landmarks, including the Wenchang Pavilion, Daming Temple and the Yangzhou Museum.
The men's course record of 59:52 minutes (set in 2015 by Mosinet Geremew) is the fastest ever recorded in China. The women's record holder is Peres Jepchirchir, with her winning time of 1:07:21 from 2016.
The prize is 500,000 RMB
Division | Time | Name | Age | Home |
Male | 1:00:55 | MOSINET GEREMEW BAYIH | 27 | ETH |
2nd Male | 1:00:55 | LEONARD KIPKOECH LANGAT | 28 | KEN |
3rd Male | 1:00:56 | ABRAHAM CHEROBEN | 26 | BAH |
4th Male | 1:01:00 | NOBERT KIPKOECH KIGEN | 26 | KEN |
Female | 1:08:04 | Perine Nengampi | 30 | KEN |
2nd Female | 1:09:33 | Birhan Mhretu | 24 | ETH |
3rd Female | 1:09:45 | Bekelech Gudeta | 21 | ETH |
Division | Time | Name | Age | Home |
The map shows that runners will start from the city's Marathon Park, go along Wenchang Road, and bid farewell to their mini-marathon partners at the Dongguan Ancient Ferry. They will carry on along Gaoqiao Road, Wanfu West Road, Shouxihu Road, and Pingshan Pavilion East Road to the end of their first 12 kilometers at the Songjiacheng Sports Leisure Park. Before turning back to Wenchang Road, an arterial road of the city as well as the event, runners will run for a few minutes along Yangzijiang Road, and finally end their contest at the Yangzhou Sports Park.
The Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon is the only half marathon in China that has won the title of "IAAF Gold Label Race". The race is held in honor of Yangzhou-born Tang Dynasty (618-907) monk, Jianzhen.