The SCO held its fourth marathon in Kunming, Yunnan province, China, on 1 December 2019.
This year's marathon received more accolades: in addition to holding a Golden Licence of the Chinese Athletics Association, it has now been awarded a Bronze Licence of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
Considering that the Kunming Marathon as an international sports event still has a very short history, receiving the Bronze Licence indicates that the International Association of Athletics Federations recognises the marathon's great potential, relevance and the Organising Committee's efficient work.
Some 19,927 people from 33 countries participated in the 4th Kunming Marathon, including India, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Iran, Afghanistan, Belarus, Nepal, Turkey, Japan, Germany, the Philippines, Poland, Thailand, the United States, France, Italy, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Singapore, Serbia, Uganda, Kenya, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Ukraine. There were also award-winning athletes and champions from major international marathons among the runners.
The marathon included several events:
Full marathon involving 5,107 professional runners;
Half marathon involving 6,304 participants;
Public Health Run involving 5,393 people;
Family Run with 3,123 participants.
The oldest running enthusiast participating in this year's Public Health Run was 82 years old and the youngest only six months old (he ‘ran' in the arms of his mother taking part in the Family Run). The marathon also drew the attention of people with health restrictions.
Athletes from Ethiopia won the men's full marathon:
Dereje Debele Tulu finished first after covering 42,195 km in 2 hours 13 minutes and 18 seconds.
Tela Hogos Gebremeskel came second with 2 hours 14 minutes and 6 seconds. Third prize was awarded to Urga Ararisa Negewo with 2 hours 14 minutes and 44 seconds.
Ethiopia's runners also dominated the women's race. Mulu Seboka Seyfu triumphed with 2 hours 32 minutes 54 seconds, followed by her compatriot Alemaz Negede Fekade (2 hours 34 minutes and 59 seconds) and a Kenyan athlete (2 hours 39 minutes 35 seconds).
The champion in the men's half marathon was also an athlete from Ethiopia who covered the distance in 1 hour 6 minutes and 53 seconds. Chinese athletes took the second and third places. They were Yang Dinghong (1 hour 7 minutes 37 seconds) and Du Jiangrong (1 hour 8 minutes and 15 seconds).
China's Jiang Jian was first in the women's half marathon with 1 hour 21 minutes and 37 seconds. Her runners-up are a Kenyan athlete (1 hour 21 minutes and 37 seconds) and Chinese athlete Zhang Kaiqin (1 hour 22 minutes 36 seconds).
During the award ceremony, the winners received unique medals designed specifically for the 2019 Kunming Marathon as well as monetary prize certificates.
Heads of the diplomatic missions in China from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Nepal, Turkey and Sri Lanka, Director of the Kyrgyzstani State Agency for Youth Issues and Sports, Consul General of Pakistan in Chengdu, Afghanistan's Charge d'affaires ad Interim in China, permanent representatives of Russia, India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the SCO Secretariat, senior diplomats from the embassies of Belarus, Mongolia and Armenia in China, as well as representatives of the Roscongress Foundation (Russia) took active part in the marathon and ran the symbolic SCO Mile.
The marathon's motto was "Friendlier, closer, united" and this was announced in the morning by SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov.
This sports event became a true festival of friendship and face-to-face communication on the shore of the picturesque Dian Lake. It was an extremely merry occasion that left people with unforgettable memories. Numerous Baikal seagulls hovering above the lake made the general atmosphere especially charming and inspiring to the runners.
The marathon was widely covered by the media. CCTV 5, the sports channel of China Central Television, broadcast the event live from the start until the end of the competition.