The Commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the Baise Uprising and Longzhou Uprising2019 China Longzhou–Vietnam Phuoc Hoa Red Route International Marathon and the “Run, Guangxi!” Eco-Marathon Series (Longzhou Station) concluded successfully on November 17.Nearly a thousand runners gathered on the China-Vietnam border, embarking on an exhilarating cross-border run that infused this picturesque border town—Longzhou—with renewed vitality.
Photo: Runners crossing the border, kicking off the cross-border marathon (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
Photo: Group photo of some participants during the race (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
Organized by the All-China Sports Federation and the People’s Government of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and hosted by the Department of Sports of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, the People’s Government of Chongzuo City, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Cao Bang Province, Vietnam, and Guangxi Radio and Television Station, with co-organization by the Guangxi Social Sports Development Center, the Department of Culture and Tourism of Chongzuo City, the CPC Longzhou County Committee, the People’s Government of Longzhou County, and the People’s Committee of Phuc Hoa County, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam, and operated by China Sports Industry Group Co., Ltd. and Beijing Zanborui Sports Development Co., Ltd., this edition of the race was themed around the revolutionary friendship between China and Vietnam, with the slogan “Cross-Border Scenery, A Red Route Journey.” The newly designed course set 90% of its route within Phuc Hoa County, Cao Bang Province, Vietnam, allowing participants to weave through Vietnamese urban streets and experience a one-of-a-kind “Red Route” cross-border journey.
Photo: The champion lead pack (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
The event attracted nearly a thousand participants from 17 provinces and cities in China—including Beijing, Anhui, Fujian, Guangdong, Guizhou, Henan, Heilongjiang, Hubei, Hunan, Jilin, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Shanxi, Shaanxi, Ningxia, Yunnan, and Guangxi—as well as from Vietnam. It also garnered attention from well-known runners in the industry, with many nationally registered high-level athletes signing up. Additionally, the organizing committee invited five Olympic, World, and Asian Games champions—Tian Yumei, Tang Lingsheng, Qiu Le, Lao Yi, and Yan Jiankui—to serve as lead guests. The participation of these elite athletes and sports champions significantly elevated the event’s influence.
Photo: Award ceremony for the top three male finishers in the half marathon (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
Photo: Award ceremony for the top three female finishers in the half marathon (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
In the end, Tie Liang from Ningxia won the men’s half marathon championship with a time of 1:07:09, while Deng Yufang from Guangxi claimed the women’s title with a time of 1:24:41. A special “China-Vietnam Friendship Award” was also established for 40 participants in the 10 km category, with 23 Vietnamese runners receiving the honor.
Photo: Vietnamese students interacting closely with participants (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
Photo: Runners crossing the border (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
The successful hosting of the event has played a positive role in promoting friendly exchanges between China and Vietnam, as well as advancing the integrated development of Longzhou’s “sports + culture + tourism” industries.
Close Cooperation, Elevating the China-Vietnam Partnership to New Heights
Longzhou County and Phuc Hoa County in Vietnam are connected by mountains and rivers, share cultural similarities, and have comparable customs, with deep traditional friendships among their peoples. Since establishing their international friendship county relationship, the two counties have continuously expanded their areas of cooperation and elevated the level of collaboration. This edition of the race marked the second time Longzhou and Phuc Hoa jointly organized a large-scale cross-border sporting event, serving as a joint exploration to promote the integration of cultural, sports, and tourism ties between China and Vietnam, and deepen local cooperation.
The success of the event was made possible through close cooperation and seamless coordination between both sides. Due to the need for last-minute adjustments to the racecourse conditions, the organizing committee responded swiftly with contingency plans. Longzhou County and Phuc Hoa County jointly formed a comprehensive support team comprising medical personnel, volunteers, public security officers, and traffic police, working closely together to ensure the smooth running of the event.
Photo: The marathon route passing by the bamboo forest temple in Tuo Long, Vietnam (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
2018 marked the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the China-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership, with bilateral relations showing positive momentum. In August of this year, the Department of Sports of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and the Vietnam Sports Administration signed a comprehensive cooperation memorandum, heralding a new “golden period” for sports exchanges and cooperation between the two countries. Seizing this major opportunity, under the guidance of the “16-character guideline” and the “Four Good Spirits,” Longzhou aims to establish China’s first deeply influential international marathon brand between China and Vietnam. Continuing its collaboration with Phuc Hoa County, Vietnam, Longzhou will host the race year after year, transforming the China Longzhou–Vietnam Phuc Hoa Red Route International Marathon into a new bridge for mutual learning and win-win cooperation between the two countries, as well as a sporting event that enhances the friendship between their peoples.
Looking Ahead, Setting a New Benchmark for Cross-Border Premium Events
To deliver a high-quality, high-standard, and premium sports event experience for runners, the organizing committee of this edition prepared to the highest standards in terms of event organization, medical support, and atmosphere creation. Whether it was the racecourse that blended the landscapes and cultural charm of the China-Vietnam border, the unique Tianshin performances at the start and finish lines, the enthusiastic interactions between Vietnamese students and runners in the Vietnam segment, or the distinctive China-Vietnam supply stations—all received praise and acclaim from participants.
Photo: Friendly interactions between the people of China and Vietnam leveraging the event as an opportunity (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
Moving forward, building on the successful experience of this edition, Longzhou will continue to optimize and upgrade the event brand, constructing a well-structured, fully functional, and distinctive cross-border marathon product system. The goal is to establish it as a benchmark for premium cross-border events, bringing new vitality to Longzhou’s sports industry, further promoting the innovative development of “sports + culture + tourism” in Longzhou, and boosting the overall enhancement of the city’s image and economy.
Empowering Development, Establishing a New City Card for Longzhou
Currently, “running a marathon while traveling” has become a fashionable lifestyle for modern people, and marathons have undoubtedly become an important window for promoting city images. In recent years, Longzhou has focused on its three major international tourism brands—“Cross-Border Red Heritage,” “World Heritage Left River,” and “Mysterious Nonggang”—organically integrating elements such as leisure, culture, sports, and health into the creation of a Guangxi demonstration zone for all-for-one tourism. This has effectively enhanced the visibility and reputation of the county’s cultural tourism brand.
Photo: Distinctive Tianshin performance in Longzhou
Photo: Highlights from the marathon event (Photo courtesy of Running Vitamin)
This edition of the event utilized diverse communication formats including TV broadcasts, online streaming, and news coverage to present the charm of Longzhou to the public from multiple perspectives. It helped more travelers and sports enthusiasts get to know and fall in love with Longzhou, significantly boosting its visibility and reputation. In the future, Longzhou will continue to leverage the China Longzhou–Vietnam Phuc Hoa Red Route International Marathon as an opportunity, making full use of its geographical advantage of being connected to Vietnam by mountains and rivers. By integrating its own strengths in scenic beauty, cultural richness, and borderland charm, and aligning with the cultural, ecological, and rural tourism resources of Phuc Hoa County, Vietnam, Longzhou will create an annual cross-border cultural, tourism, and sports extravaganza. This will establish Longzhou’s new cross-border sports tourism identity, using the “landscape card,” “sports card,” and “cross-border card” to drive the development of all-for-one tourism in Longzhou, letting the world know Longzhou and bringing Longzhou to the world.