On March 17th, at the beginning of “Xu Xiake’s Travels” in Ninghai, Zhejiang, the 2024 Ninghai Marathon fired its gun and started running. Ten thousand athletes from 13 countries around the world and 32 regions across the country signed up to participate..
Early in the morning, crowds gathered in front of the West Gate Tower of Ninghai, and contestants dressed in various competition costumes warmed up, exchanged experiences, or checked their equipment… At 8:00 am, with the sound of a starting gun, tens of thousands of runners jumped out and ran freely on the city track, playing the most dynamic and beautiful melody of this “mountain sea and beautiful city”..
This Ninghai Marathon is a Class A event certified by the China Track and Field Association and the first large-scale urban marathon in Ninghai. With the theme of “Xiake Marathon, Free in Ninghai City”, the route planning starts with Ninghai West Gate Tower, the opening place of Xu Xiake’s Travels, passes through urban trunk roads such as Taoyuan Road, passes through Xuxiake Avenue, Xingning covered bridge, Chenghuang Temple Business Center, Puhu Park, Tianming Lake Park and other landmark scenic spots in Ninghai, Fully showcase the new urban style of Ninghai..
Ninghai has a beautiful ecological environment, with a complete range of ecological resources including mountains, seas, islands, springs, lakes, and more. At the same time, as the opening place of Xu Xiake’s travelogue, it has a rich cultural heritage and has always adhered to the urban spirit of openness, inclusiveness, innovation and progress. Nowadays, this spirit extends to the Ninghai Marathon, creating a high-quality marathon event that integrates cultural, sports, and tourism development, allowing runners to experience the unique charm and profound heritage of this city while competing with speed and perseverance..
The full process event service system centered on runners has attracted many contestants to like it. “The track in Ninghai is very beautiful and wide, and what impressed me the most was the enthusiastic audience along the way, which gave me a lot of strength,” praised Li Zicheng, a participant in the Ningbo Half Horse race..
After intense competition, Kenyan athlete MAINA GERALD WANJAGI won the men’s group championship of the 2024 Ninghai Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 19 minutes, and 59 seconds; Chinese athlete Huang Aifeng won the runner up in the men’s group of the 2024 Ninghai Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 22 minutes, and 02 seconds; Chinese athlete Li Huajun won the bronze medal in the men’s group of the 2024 Ninghai Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 27 minutes, and 42 seconds..
Ethiopian athlete BIKILE TEFERI won the women’s group championship in the 2024 Ninghai Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 39 minutes, and 15 seconds; Chinese athlete Ao Pingping won the runner up in the women’s group of the 2024 Ninghai Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 46 minutes, and 17 seconds; Chinese athlete Lin Shuangshuang won the third place in the women’s group of the 2024 Ninghai Marathon with a time of 2 hours, 51 minutes, and 8 seconds..
Kenyan athlete Jonathan Samanayo Korir won the men’s group championship of the 2024 Ninghai Marathon Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour, 02 minutes, and 23 seconds; Kenyan athlete MUHIAKENNEDY NJOGU won the runner up in the men’s group of the 2024 Ninghai Marathon Half Marathon with a time of 1 hour, 02 minutes, and 38 seconds; Ningbo athlete Li Zicheng scored 1 hour and 06 minutes.