On September 22, 2017, the organizing committee of the Lijiang Marathon held a press conference at the banquet hall of the InterContinental Lijiang Ancient Town Resort, announcing that the 2017 Phicomm-Lianbi Lijiang International Marathon will start at 8:00 AM on November 26. Public registration for runners will officially begin at 10:00 AM on September 30. Participants can register through the official Lijiang Marathon website www.ljmarathon.com, the official WeChat account “Aili Ma,” and the official partner app “Xizhilingdang.”
Accompanied by the clear and melodious sounds of Naxi ancient music, a Naxi ethnic dance rich in the distinctive flavors of Lijiang opened the press conference for the 2017 Phicomm-Lianbi Lijiang International Marathon. At the event, Zhao Lidì, member of the Standing Committee of the Lijiang Municipal Party Committee and Vice Mayor of the municipal government, He Xueqian, Deputy Director of the Sports Bureau, Gu Guoping, founder and CEO of Phicomm, Nong Jin, CEO of Shanghai Lianbi, and Dai Jingjing, CEO of Jiuai Sports, jointly unveiled the mystery of this year’s marathon.
Zhao Lidì, Vice Mayor of the Lijiang Municipal Government and representative of the event organizer, delivered a speech at the press conference themed “Marathon Promotes National Fitness and Urban Development, Creating a New City Card for Lijiang.” In her speech, Vice Mayor Zhao mentioned that the Lijiang International Marathon is a significant initiative by the Lijiang Municipal Party Committee and Municipal Government to thoroughly implement the State Council’s “Several Opinions on Accelerating the Development of the Sports Industry and Promoting Sports Consumption” and to advance the development of “sports + tourism” in Lijiang. It is also an important event to promote sports consumption, deepen the national fitness movement, create a new city card for Lijiang, and comprehensively showcase the achievements of Lijiang’s economic and social development as well as urban construction.
Lijiang’s natural and cultural resources make it an ideal location for hosting outdoor sports events and activities. With its warm winters and cool summers, pleasant climate, and diverse and magnificent landforms, Lijiang boasts extremely rich outdoor sports natural resources represented by well-known tourist destinations such as Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the Jinsha River, Lugu Lake, and Old Kunlun Mountain. It is suitable for various types of outdoor sports and has the natural conditions to become a world-class outdoor sports destination. This event will integrate Lijiang’s characteristics, break away from the traditional marathon model, and create a marathon with a “slow” tone, allowing participants to fully experience the beauty of Lijiang. During the event, nearly 300 EMBA and business elites from across the country will be invited to gather in Lijiang to participate. These 300 elite individuals will also engage in specialized discussions and exchanges on Lijiang’s industrial development, further promoting the efficient implementation of Lijiang’s economic construction and social development plans.
The hosting of this international marathon will comprehensively promote the in-depth development of the national fitness movement, accelerate the coordinated development of “sports + tourism,” and drive the upgrade of Lijiang’s cultural tourism industry towards high quality and diversification. This event includes not only a full marathon and a half marathon but also a mini marathon “Fun Run,” which will help create a “multiplier effect” of integrated development among related industries such as tourism, sports, culture, and commerce. With the joint efforts of the event organizers, hosts, operators, and social media, this international marathon is expected to become a new highlight and new city card for Lijiang’s economic and social development.
The successful press conference in Lijiang marks that the preparation work for the Lijiang Marathon has entered the actual operational stage, and the Lijiang Municipal Government and relevant departments have entered an intensive preparation phase.
Gu Guoping, founder and CEO of Phicomm—one of the event organizers and title sponsors—explained the perfect alignment between Phicomm’s strategic development, corporate culture, and the marathon from the perspective of promoting the development of Lijiang as a smart city.
Nong Jin, CEO of Shanghai Lianbi, another co-organizer and title sponsor, combined scenario-based operations with the race experience of the Lijiang Marathon, showcasing a highly technological Lijiang Marathon. The two title sponsors, with their leading internet communication technologies and hardware paired with digital scenario-based operational experiences, have injected refreshing technological momentum and creative elements into the Lijiang Marathon and future marathon events.
The press conference also invited national team coaches and several runner representatives as special guests, including Wang Zhaoyang, Associate Professor at Shanghai University of Sport and head coach of the National Youth Women’s Middle and Long Distance Running Team; Li Wei, a renowned marathon athlete and coach, national-level athlete, multiple domestic champion in marathons; Wu Min, a national-level athlete and CCTV-5 commentator for the Boston Marathon; Song Yangyang, who completed a full marathon in 2:27, a half marathon in 1:10, won the 2016 Yangjiang Hailing Island Half Marathon, and the 2017 Singapore Half Marathon; Zheng Wenrong, winner of the 2017 Gongga 100km and finished the Dalian International Marathon in 2:32; Yu Qinke, EMBA from Fudan University School of Business and Vice President of Phicomm; Yang Ping, EMBA from East China University of Science and Technology School of Business and Chairman of Jiuai Sports; Shen NR and Zhou Cai Chi from Fudan University EMBA, among others.
During the press conference, Dai Jingjing, CEO of Jiuai Sports—the event operator—introduced the basic information and nine highlights of the Lijiang Marathon project to the guests. The entire marathon is designed to let participants feel the beauty of Lijiang through a “slow” pace, creating a fun-themed, distinctive marathon.
I. Basic Information of the Event
(1) Official Event Name
2017 Phicomm-Lianbi Lijiang International Marathon
(2) Event Organizational Structure
Organizers: People’s Government of Lijiang City, Shanghai Phicomm Data Communications Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Lianbi Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
Title Sponsors: Shanghai Phicomm Data Communications Technology Co., Ltd., Shanghai Lianbi Electronics Technology Co., Ltd.
Organizing Committee: Lijiang Municipal Sports Bureau, Lijiang Feirui Kang Network Technology Co., Ltd.
Co-organizers: Lijiang Ruijin Big Data Industry Development Co., Ltd.
Operation and Promotion: Shanghai Jiuai Sports Development Co., Ltd.
(3) Event Date:November 26, 2017 (Sunday) at 8:00 AM
(4) Event Categories and Scale
1. Individual Events:
Full Marathon (42.195 km): 3,000 participants
Half Marathon (21.0975 km): 3,000 participants
Fun Run (4.5 km): 4,000 participants
2. Business School Race: 300 participants
(5) Event Route (Planned)
1. Full Marathon Route: Lijiang Stadium (Start) → Shangri-La Avenue → Xiangshan Road → Jiaoyu Road → Minzhu Road → Yuhe Square → Dayan Ancient Town → Xianghe Road → Qingyun Road → Qinglong South Road → Yuzi West Road → Qingxi Road → Xueshan Road → Shuhe Road → Xiangjiang Road → Yuquan Road → Turnaround Point (Baisha Ancient Town) → Yuquan Road → Xiangjiang Road → Shangri-La Avenue → Qingxi Road (Under Construction) → Lijiang Stadium (Finish), Total Distance: 42.195KM.
2. Half Marathon Route: Lijiang Stadium (Start) → Shangri-La Avenue → Xiangshan Road → Jiaoyu Road → Minzhu Road → Yuhe Square → Dayan Ancient Town → Xianghe Road → Qingyun Road → Qinglong South Road → Yuzi West Road → Qingxi Road (Under Construction) → Lijiang Stadium (Finish), Total Distance: 21.0975KM.
Fun Run Route: Lijiang Stadium (Start) → Shangri-La Avenue → Xiangshan Road → Jiaoyu Road → Minzhu Road → Yuhe Square, Total Distance: 4.5KM.
(VI). Event Registration Information
1. Registration Period: From 10:00 on September 30, 2017 to 17:00 on November 10, 2017, or until registration capacity is reached.
2. Official Registration Channels: Participants should register during the designated period via three official channels: the 2017 Phicomm Lianbi Lijiang International Marathon official website www.ljmarathon.com, the official WeChat public platform “Ailima”, and the official APP channel “Xizhilingdang”. After completing online payment, participants will receive an SMS confirmation from the organizing committee.
(VII). Registration Fees
1. For Chinese participants (including Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan): Marathon – 120 RMB per person; Half Marathon – 100 RMB per person; Fun Run – 50 RMB per person.
2. For international participants: Marathon – 50 USD per person; Half Marathon – 30 USD per person; Fun Run – 20 USD per person.
3. The event will also feature a “Zero Yuan Run” activity model; details of this model will be announced later on the official website.
II. Event Features
(I). Course Highlights:Run through the ancient city and toward the snow-capped mountains. As the first marathon that allows runners to pass through the Dayan Ancient Town of Lijiang and head toward the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain, the “Lijiang Marathon” course is designed to fully showcase the natural beauty of Lijiang. Here, we would also like to remind runners to pay attention to the ancient city road surfaces while running through Dayan Ancient Town to avoid injury.
(II). Registration Highlights:The most noteworthy feature of this Lijiang Marathon is the “Zero Yuan Registration” campaign. Participants who complete the race under this activity will have their registration fees refunded, making this one of the first zero-registration-fee marathon events in China.
(III). Smart Lijiang Marathon:Technology changes life, and technology also changes sports. The smart “Lijiang Marathon” is equipped with Phicomm smart wristbands that comprehensively record various athletic data including speed, pace, calories, cumulative elevation gain, total steps, and cadence. The data is displayed live on large screens at the event and can be compared with top runners’ stats, making running more scientific and the marathon more digitized.
(IV). Audiovisual Lijiang Marathon:Lijiang is inseparable from music. The Lijiang Marathon also integrates representatives of Lijiang’s cultural symbols such as local original musicians, ethnic performers, and local bands to create a perfect course experience that combines natural scenery, cultural elements, and the marathon.
(V). Delicious Lijiang Marathon:The entire 42.195-kilometer Lijiang Marathon course is lined with classic Lijiang delicacies such as Lijiang Baba, Naxi BBQ, rice sausage, chicken bean jelly, butter tea, and cured pork ribs. There are also fruit and specialty food stations to ensure runners enjoy both the run and the food.
(VI). Event Philanthropy:The event will also collaborate with charitable organizations to launch multiple philanthropic initiatives. The 2017 Phicomm Lianbi Lijiang International Marathon, while ensuring a high-quality and distinctive marathon experience, also fulfills its social responsibility by joining hands with runners to spread love and promote philanthropic ideals. The organizing committee, together with the Ge You Foundation, Shanghai Zhonggu Public Welfare Youth Development Center, and the China Athletes Education Foundation, will engage in charitable collaborations across various fields including barrier-free running groups, “Love Relay” recycled computer classrooms, and athlete education.
(VII). Business School Race-within-a-Race:This Lijiang International Marathon will also serve as the third stop of the Business School Marathon League. Over 300 EMBA representatives from 50 business schools will participate in the race on behalf of their institutions. The event will also include a Lijiang business investment tour, closely linking the marathon with the development of Lijiang.
(VIII). Business School and Corporate Elite Rabbits (Pacemakers):In addition to professional race pacemakers and medical runners, this Lijiang Marathon will also feature a “rabbit” corps composed of elite representatives from business schools. These business school “rabbits” are not only business leaders but also marathon enthusiasts, and they are sure to be a highlight on the Lijiang Marathon course.
(IX). One-stop Sports, Tourism, and Culture Services:Beyond the usual carnival elements like food, fun, and entertainment around the marathon, leveraging Lijiang’s advantages as a tourism city, the i-Lijiang platform will integrate seven major tourism scenarios—eating, lodging, transportation, sightseeing, shopping, entertainment, and accommodation—to deliver a customized experience for participants.
On-site, journalists from the media also asked Director Dai several questions related to runners and the event, to which he provided detailed answers.
Question 1:Hello Director Dai, I’m a reporter from Lijiang Radio and Television Station. After listening to your presentation, we’re all very excited about the Lijiang Marathon. Especially the nine highlights you mentioned—many of them are being introduced in a marathon event for the first time. As you said, it feels like this marathon isn’t about chasing “speed,” but rather encouraging runners to appreciate the beauty of Lijiang through a “slower” pace. May I ask why you took the opposite approach in the race design and encouraged everyone to slow down?
Dai Jingjing:Thank you for your question. There were several considerations in the initial design of the Lijiang Marathon. First is Lijiang’s geographical location—the city itself sits at an altitude of 2,400 meters, and for some runners, running at high speed can be quite strenuous. From a safety perspective, we hope participants will run within their own limits. Second, Lijiang boasts a wealth of cultural and natural scenery, much of which our race route will pass through. By slowing down, runners will have more chances to take it all in. Third, Lijiang is widely regarded as a city that embraces a slow pace of life and enjoys living in the moment. Only by slowing down can one truly enjoy the beauty of Lijiang. In terms of race design, we also drew inspiration from the well-known Bordeaux Wine Marathon abroad, where every participant enjoys the experience. We aim to create the Lijiang Marathon as a sea of joy—a uniquely Chinese happy marathon.
Question 2:Director Dai, I’m a reporter from Sina.com. The Lijiang Marathon is a highly innovative event. From registration to the tech-forward aspects and the race course experience, everything reflects innovation, bringing us surprises and raising our expectations even higher. Do you have any additional highlights or innovations planned for future races?
Dai Jingjing:First of all, thank you for your recognition of our planning efforts. In designing the event, we couldn’t have done it without the strong support of the government and the title sponsor. Especially regarding the concepts of “zero-yuan running” and the smart marathon, PHEEX has contributed a lot of creative ideas. These are the fruits of brainstorming sessions with our colleagues at PHEEX—technology changes life, and technology also transforms sports. With the strong backing of the government and our title sponsor, we will continue striving for perfection before the event, so that everyone can experience a truly unique and joyful marathon. On November 26th, during the Lijiang Marathon, everyone is sure to discover even more highlights and delightful surprises.
Question 3:Director Dai, I’m a reporter from Eastday.com. As a high-altitude destination, what are the key considerations for marathon runners in Lijiang in terms of preparation before the race, during the event, and recovery afterward? Does the organizing committee have any contingency plans?
Dai Jingjing:Thank you for your question. The Lijiang Marathon course ranges in altitude from 2,400 to 2,580 meters, presenting certain challenges compared to races at sea level. Additionally, full-length competitive marathons are inherently demanding events, so we have set certain entry requirements. Runners participating in the full marathon must have a valid half marathon or longer finish time within the past year, while those in the half marathon must have a valid 10 km or longer finish time within the past year. Secondly, we’ve incorporated food experiences, scenic vistas, and many fun elements along the course, aiming to let runners enjoy the beauty of Lijiang through the format of a marathon. The Lijiang Marathon doesn’t emphasize speed, so the full marathon cutoff time is set at 7 hours. In terms of preparation, we recommend that registered runners follow a training plan, and we also encourage them to arrive in Lijiang early to acclimatize to the altitude while exploring the city. For post-race recovery, we’ll have stretching and massage zones at the finish line to help runners relax and avoid discomfort or injury after the race. As this is an event at altitude, we’ve taken extra care with our medical and emergency plans. For example, we have recruited physician runners, increased emergency medical staffing, added oxygen supply stations at select points, and implemented strict evacuation protocols—all to ensure that everyone can enjoy the festive atmosphere of the event with peace of mind.
Special Thanks:
The successful hosting of the 2017 PHEEX Lianbi Lijiang International Marathon would not have been possible without the strong support of co-organizers including the Lijiang Municipal Government, the Lijiang Municipal Party Committee Propaganda Department, the Lijiang Sports Bureau, the Lijiang Public Security Bureau, the Lijiang Tourism Development Commission, the Lijiang Health and Family Planning Commission, and the Lijiang Culture and Broadcasting Bureau. The event also received sponsorship and service support from title sponsor Shanghai PHEEX and Shanghai Lianbi, as well as collaborative support from the GeYou Public Welfare Foundation, Shanghai Zhonggu Public Welfare Youth Development Center, and the China Athletes Education Foundation. Our sincere thanks go out to all of them. We also extend our gratitude to the media organizations present for their tremendous support. Let’s look forward together to the arrival of the 2017 PHEEX Lianbi Lijiang International Marathon on November 26th.