On 6 December 2020, the 5th SCO international marathon was held in Kunming.
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the marathon was held in a mini-race format, as well as online through a special mobile app. Over 500 people took part in the mini-race.
The marathon's motto was, as usual, "Friendlier, closer, united" and the run was an enjoyable and unforgettable experience.
The opening ceremony was attended by SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Tajikistan to China Zohir Ozod Saidzoda, Secretary of the Kunming Municipal Party Committee Cheng Lianyuan, Deputy Governor of Yunnan Province Li Maling, permanent representatives of the member states to the SCO Secretariat, and diplomats from the SCO countries.
As many as 240,000 participants registered for the online marathon, which is evidence of its popularity and relevance.
A distinctive feature of the SCO marathons is that the event is not limited to professional athletes; runners of different ages can participate, as well as persons with disabilities.
The Moscow Declaration, adopted on 10 November 2020 following a meeting of the SCO Council of Heads of State, highlighted the role of sport as one of the important tools for maintaining peace, promoting social integration and r sustainable development. In their Declaration, the SCO leaders also noted the importance of regular international SCO marathons.
Over the past four years, the Kunming Marathon has brought together about 100,000 professional runners and joggers from 54 countries, and also received a gold licence from the Chinese Athletics Federation and a silver licence from the International Association of Athletics Federations, which is evidence that the competition complies with international standards.
The SCO Secretariat will make efforts to hold SCO marathons on a regular basis in order to popularise healthy lifestyles, bring the wider public of different generations, nationalities, cultures and civilisations closer together, and promote the SCO's image and the ‘Shanghai spirit.'