File photo: Runners prepare to compete in a Nantong Marathon. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

The 2024 Nantong Marathon will take place on April 21, according to a press conference held on April 9.

A total of 25,000 marathoners from 18 countries and regions are expected to compete in a full marathon, half marathon and 6.5-kilometer fun run.

Starting from Nantong Grand Theater, participants will enjoy the beautiful sights of the city – from bustling central business districts to the charming Zilang Lake, and from the Yangtze River to the Langshan Mountain National Forest Park.

T-shirt for the 2024 Nantong Marathon runners. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

Winners of the full and half marathons will receive prize money of 10,000 yuan ($1,382.81) and 6,000 yuan respectively while the run group with the highest integrals will be awarded 10,000 yuan.

The design of the race's T-shirt and medals is inspired by some of Nantong's distinctive natural and cultural elements. The T-shirt features Yangtze finless porpoises while the medals are distinguished by images of the Nantong Grand Theater, Bell Tower, and Watchtower, as well as Yangtze finless porpoises.

Medal for the runners who finish the full marathon. [Photo/Nantong Daily]

To provide the best experience for runners, over 3,400 volunteers are expected to serve as guides and provide supplies along the route. Thirty ambulances and 41 medical workers equipped with automated external defibrillators (AED) will be deployed to guarantee safety. Twenty-two medical stations will be set up at the start and finishing lines and along the track.

In addition, all the marathoners will be free to visit all the State-own attractions in Nantong with their bib number from April 21 to 23.