The 2023 Nantong Kaisha Island Half Marathon kicked off at 8:00 am on April 9, local media reported.

The event, which featured a half marathon and a 6-km run, is the only half marathon that crosses the Yangtze River in China. Nearly 10,000 runners from 20 countries and regions participated in the event.

More than 800 staff members and over 500 volunteers were involved in the event.

The half marathon started at the north side of the Dongsha bridge and ended at Zhouji Menghuan Island. Runners could enjoy the views of Kaisha Island and pass through several landmarks in Nantong city, including the Dongsha Bridge and the Hengli (Nantong) Textile and New Material Industrial Park.

Victor Kibet Mutai from Kenya won the men's marathon with a time of 1:04:34, and Jeptanui, another Kenyan, won the women's category with her time of 1:15:16.

Chinese runners Yang Le and Yang Guangyue took third in the men's category and women's category respectively.

Chinese saber fencer Zhong Man from Nantong, who won the gold at the 2008 Summer Olympics, was invited as the pacesetter of the race.

According to local authorities, the event was part of the Fourth Nantong Sports and Tourism Campaign, which consists of activities like a 20-km ride around Kaisha Island, a bazaar themed on intangible cultural heritage, and an RV and Camp Carnival.

Runners take off at the starting line. [Photo/WeChat account: ntjoy2012]

Zhong Man, an Olympic champion in fencing, poses for a group picture with runners. [Photo/WeChat account: ntjoy2012]