The 2013 Western Grand Canyon Cup Half Marathon in Yunnan · Shuifu Concludes Successfully!

[360 Camping Network News] On September 25, the "First Run Along the Mighty Yangtze" — the 2013 Western Grand Canyon Cup Half Marathon in Yunnan · Shuifu — started with the firing of the starting gun at North Gate Park in Shuifu District, Zhaotong City, Yunnan Province. More than 10,000 athletes and enthusiasts from around the world took part in this prominent event.

        This marathon was co-organized by the Chinese Athletics Association, the Yunnan Provincial Sports Bureau, and the People's Government of Zhaotong City, and hosted by the People's Government of Shuifu County and the Zhaotong Municipal Bureau of Culture, Sports, Press and Publication.

        At 8:30 a.m., with the sound of the starting gun, the marathon officially began. The event featured three categories: men’s and women’s 21.0975-kilometer half marathons, men’s and women’s 10-kilometer races, and a 4-kilometer public fun run. The course passed through the scenic Yangtze River Avenue, Xiangjiaba Avenue, North Gate Avenue, Shuimai Expressway, and Jinsha River Avenue, all rich with subtropical charm. Throughout the race, numerous enthusiastic residents of Shuifu came to the scene to cheer on the runners.

        The event attracted 42 international participants from 14 countries and regions, including Kenya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Hong Kong. The total number of participants exceeded 10,000.

        After fierce competition, Ethiopian athlete FIKADU and Fu Tinglian from the Yunnan Provincial Sports Team won the men’s and women’s championships in the half marathon with times of 1:05:54 and 1:17:08, respectively. Duandongjie from Kunming, Yunnan, and Zhang Deshun from Dali, Yunnan, claimed the men’s and women’s titles in the 10-kilometer race with times of 31:55 and 35:20, respectively.

        Liu Jianhua, Secretary of the Zhaotong Municipal Party Committee and Honorary Director of the Event Organizing Committee, Zhang Yongliang, Director of the Marathon Office of the Athletic Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, Zhao Jianjun, Deputy Director of the Yunnan Provincial Sports Bureau, Zhang Shaoxiong, Deputy Secretary of the Zhaotong Municipal Party Committee, Zhou Daohong, Chairman of Yunnan Luhong Industrial Group Co., Ltd. — the title sponsor and developer of the Western Grand Canyon Hot Spring Scenic Area — attended the opening ceremony and fired the starting gun. Liu Jianhua announced the start of the race. Zhang Shaoxiong delivered a speech. City leaders Kong Guihua, Lu Yunfeng, Long Jin, Zhang Huagui, Yang Guihong, and Zhang Yongqian, Wang Yihua, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Xiangjiaba Project Construction Department of China Three Gorges Corporation, Liang Hong, Secretary of the Party Committee of Shuifu Yuntianhua Co., Ltd., as well as local leaders of the Shuifu County leadership team and guests from various sectors, observed the race.

        Key leaders and guests presented awards to the winners and honored the title sponsor and premium partners with commemorative medals.

Note:

Top three in the Men’s Half Marathon:

   1st Place: Ethiopian athlete FIKADU – 1:05:54

   2nd Place: Zhu Renxue from Kunming, Yunnan – 1:06:02

   3rd Place: Eritrean athlete AFEWERKI – 1:06:17

Top three in the Women’s Half Marathon:

   1st Place: Fu Tinglian from the Yunnan Provincial Sports Team – 1:17:08

   2nd Place: Zheng Wenrong from Zhaotong, Yunnan – 1:17:21

   3rd Place: Zao Youli from Kunming, Yunnan – 1:18:52



Top three in the Men’s 10-Kilometer Race:

   1st Place: Duandongjie from Kunming, Yunnan – 31:55

   2nd Place: Li Shaozhuang from Running Club – 32:02

   3rd Place: Tu Wenji from Kunming, Yunnan – 32:09

Top three in the Women’s 10-Kilometer Race:

   1st Place: Zhang Deshun from Kunming, Yunnan – 35:20

   2nd Place: Li Ruiling from Kunming, Yunnan – 35:42

   3rd Place: Zhang Xian from Yuxi, Yunnan – 35:48