On 16 August 2018, Kunming, the city of eternal spring, hosted a large-scale presentation ceremony for the 2018 SCO International Marathon Race, one of the most spectacular events in the Organisation's life.
Numerous participants at the ceremony could feast their eyes on a sunlit meadow of natural flowers symbolising both the beauty of the evergreen city of Kunming and the flamboyance of the forthcoming SCO Marathon Race-2018 that involves
increasingly more runners from all over the world with each passing year. Musician Yu Bing regaled the guests with "Ode to the Leader of Princes" performed on a traditional musical instrument known as the pip.
SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov stepped forward with a cordial welcome and thanked Kunming residents for their proactive participation in helping to prepare for the SCO marathon races held in their city, which were praised in the Declaration of the SCO Heads of State approved after the SCO Summit in Qingdao, China, in June 2018. He expressed certainty that the upcoming SCO International Marathon Race in Kunming would surpass the previous races in terms of its scale, geographical representation, cultural programme and volunteer involvement and would open the way to the coveted Golden License of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The Presentation participants were addressed by Yunnan Vice-Governor Ms Li Maling, Kunming Vice-Mayor Ms Wang Jinying, and Deputy Secretary-General of the PRC Athletics Association Mr ShuiTao.
The addresses culminated in a ceremony performed by SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov, who handed the Flag of the SCO International Marathon Race to Kunming Mayor Mr Wang Xiliang.
To finalise the Presentation, guests of honour headed by Secretary-General Alimov launched the registration of participants in the race. This was also a ceremony unique in its splendor and beauty, with the guests of honour pouring coloured salt from jugs to fill invisible cavities and thus form the name of the SCO Kunming
Marathon Race in colours of the rainbow.
The Presentation included a photo exhibition with episodes from the three earlier SCO marathon races held in Kunming and Astana. It was also attended by many marathon racers portrayed on the photographs, including an athlete with disabilities, who had participated in the 2016-2017 full marathon race.
Before the Presentation, SCO Secretary-General Rashid Alimov held a working meeting with Yunnan Vice-Governor Ms Li Maling.
The event involved Kunming Mayor Mr Wang Xiliang, Yunnan Vice-Governor Ms Li Maling, Deputy Secretary-General of the PRC Athletics Association Mr ShuiTao, participants in SCO marathon races, both professionals and amateurs, representatives of the cultural, art and business communities as well as journalists from China's leading news agencies and other media.
The first SCO International Marathon Race was held in Kunming in December 2016. The second Marathon Race took place on 31 December 2017. The third SCO International Marathon Race is scheduled for 2 December 2018 in Kunming. It is expected to involve about 20,000 racers and amateur athletes from the member states of the SCO Family as well as those from other countries and continents.