Hangzhou Lin’an Half Marathon starts, running from profound culture to future science and technology innovation

On October 20, the much-anticipated 2024 Hangzhou Lin’an Half Marathon officially kicked off in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province. Runners from all over the country participated in three categories: the half marathon, a health run, and a family run, which started in succession. This year’s event saw a significant increase in participation, with the number of entrants rising from 5,000 in 2023 to 8,000, including 4,000 in the half marathon, 2,000 in the health run, and 2,000 in the family run.

Organized by the Lin’an District People’s Government, the event is officially certified by the Chinese Athletic Association and supported by the Zhejiang Marathon and Road Running Association. The Hangzhou Lin’an Half Marathon is designed to highlight the region’s new identity, emphasizing innovation, ecology, and culture. This year’s theme revolves around leveraging technology to drive innovation, enhancing cultural depth through ecological perspectives, and creating a unique marathon experience that blends rich history with a vision for the future.

Since registration opened on August 20, the event saw an overwhelming response, with over 10,000 individuals signing up on the first day alone, setting a new record for registrations. The overall lottery acceptance rate was 51%, with 40% for the half marathon, 66% for the health run, and 80% for the family run. Among the top finishers, 500 male runners completed the half marathon in under 1:30:00, while 120 female runners finished in under 1:40:00.

After a fierce competition, the top three male runners were Zhang Qicheng with a time of 1:08:32, Pan Chuanwei at 1:08:46, and Zhang Lunan at 1:09:00. For the women, the podium finishers were Tang Xiaofen with a time of 1:18:39, Lu Sudan at 1:21:11, and Lu Zhuying at 1:23:08.

The race featured a brand-new route that began at Lin’an People’s Square and passed through various scenic spots, including Wanma Road, Tiaoxi North Street, and Technology Avenue, culminating at Qingshan Lake Science and Technology City. This path beautifully intertwines tradition and modernity while blending history with a forward-looking vision. Runners enjoyed both urban landscapes and picturesque natural scenery, reflecting the vibrant essence of the Wu and Yue Cultural City known for its innovation, culture, and ecology.

Notably, Qingshan Lake Science and Technology City served as a significant area and the finishing point for the race, boasting over 30 research institutions and more than 400 industrial enterprises. This year, the technology city organized a “high-level talent running team” consisting of more than 150 members, including academicians, experts from research institutions, and leaders from tech companies.

Additionally, along the course, there were innovative “cheering stations” themed around the features of the science city, including corporate fuel stations and university support stations. Notable exhibits from research institutes such as Tsinghua University’s Membrane Biology Division and Zhejiang University’s Qingshan Lake Energy Research Base showcased cutting-edge technologies like robots and drones. Numerous enterprises also set up a tech exhibition at the finish line, offering participants interactive experiences with robotics, medical diagnostics, and even metaverse projects.