Chongqing Lake Half Marathon Opens, Witnessing New Records

On October 29, the 2023 Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon kicked off at Gujin Square in the south of Kaizhou District. The starting gun was fired at 8:30 a.m., and 8,000 runners participated, making it the mass sports event with the largest-ever number of participants in the region covering Dazhou City in Sichuan and Wanzhou and Kaizhou Districts in Chongqing.

At 8:00, the race started on time. After fierce competition, foreign runner Chelimo Isaac grabbed the men's title in the event's men's record time of 1 hour 4 minutes 14 seconds, Wang Jiawei won the second place in 1 hour 4 minutes 41 seconds, and foreign runner Kipsang David took the third place in 1 hour 5 minutes 5 seconds.

Male winners pose for a group photo. (Photo/2023 Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon)

Feng Dan grabbed the women's title in the event's women's record time of 1 hour 15 minutes 5 seconds, Zhang Shanshan won the second place in 1 hour 18 minutes 25 seconds, and Fan Kaili took the third place in 1 hour 19 minutes 7 seconds.

Feng Dan, the women's champion from Shizhu, Chongqing, set a new women's record at the Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon. (Photo/2023 Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon)

The track for the Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon has always been known as the easiest for runners to set their records on. This year, some landscape nodes were maintained and upgraded while the advantages of the original track were retained.

All the contestants ran along Hanfeng Lake and encountered unique landscapes such as the Kaizhou Han Embroidery Cultural and Creative Museum, Junshen Square, Juzi Garden, and Kaizhou Bridge. Along the track, there are lush trees, singing birds, and fragrant flowers: the urban scenery and lakeside view blend. Near Hanfeng Lake, the modern landmark bridge complements an ancient century-old pagoda.

After the race, Feng Dan, the women's champion from Shizhu, Chongqing, excitedly said that this was the flattest track she had ever run in Chongqing. As both sides of the track teemed with the picturesque scenery, she unknowingly set a new women's record at the Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon. She hoped to challenge the record next time.

In addition to its size and the number of participants, the race's success lies in meticulous planning and organization. To better serve the event and runners, the Organizing Committee of the 2023 Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon worked hard to improve the quality of the race from the runners' perspective, formulated detailed work plans and emergency plans, and kept improving its organization and services.

Beautiful track of the 2023 Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon. (Photo/2023 Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon)

In terms of competition organization, a group registration channel was specially added, and generous group bonuses were offered. The total amount of bonuses reached 134,800 yuan (about 18,459 U.S. dollars). All this has enriched the participation forms, optimized the participants' experience, and enhanced public engagement.

The services fully showed the host's hospitality. Along the track, a number of refreshing sites have been set up with the voluntary services of Kaizhou residents and contributions from characteristic enterprises.

Safety matters for a successful event. In order to ensure the safe and smooth progress of the race, the Organizing Committee, in accordance with the relevant requirements of the China Athletics Association, set up one temporary medical center, eight temporary medical aid stations, and 20 medical aid points, equipped 11 ambulances, contacted hospitals around the track to open a special green channel, recruited more than 20 first-aid runners, and transferred 110 medical volunteers and 21 mobile AEDs for the event. At the same time, the Organizing Committee recruited over 500 volunteers and 1,000 strong police and security workers to ensure the life safety of contestants.

Medical team of 2023 Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon. (Photo/2023 Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon)

As the Chongqing Kaizhou · Hanfeng Lake Half Marathon is a major cultural and sports brand of Kaizhou District, in recent years, the district has adhered to the "sports +" model to boost the development of culture, sports, and tourism. It is hoped to give full play to the brand effect of the event, highlight the charm of Kaizhou District, and realize the integrated development of sports, culture, tourism, and other industries.