2024 Nantong Marathon guns off on April 21. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Led by four Nantong-born world champions, nearly 25,000 marathoners from around the world ran the 2024 Nantong Marathon on April 21.

A total of 5,000, 7,000, and 13,000 runners participated in the full marathon, half marathon and 6.5-kilometer fun run, respectively.

Starting from Nantong Grand Theater, the runners enjoyed 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.

Sufaro Woliyi Kabeto from Ethiopia clinched first place in the men's full marathon with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes and 53 seconds, while Kenyan runner Rael Cherop Boiyo finished first in the women's category in 2:38:42. Qian Huan was the only Chinese runner to secure a top three spot in the race, finishing in third in the women's category in 2:55:06.

Sponsors of the event also offered 10 themed tourism routes and exhibitions as well as guides to local delicacies and hotels to better serve the participants.

Sufaro Woliyi Kabeto from Ethiopia wins the men's full marathon with a time of 2 hours 18 minutes and 53 seconds. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Runners along the race route. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

A boy runs the 6.5-kilometer fun race with his parents. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Supporters cheer for participants of the 2024 Nantong Marathon along the route. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

A volunteer applies medical spray to alleviate the pain of a runner. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

A woman creates a heart shape with her hands to the camera. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Delightful scenery along the race route. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

A bird's-eye view of the race route. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]