In September, Changdao enters its most beautiful season. Officially kicked off by the People's Government of Changdao County, Yantai City, and organized by the Education and Sports Bureau of Changdao County, Yantai City, and Yantai Yonghui Sports Development Co., Ltd., the 2017 Changdao Island-Circling Marathon saw nearly 4,000 running enthusiasts fully enjoy the thrill of running amid the island’s most stunning scenery and vibrant local culture.
Since its inception, the Changdao Marathon — China’s first island culture-themed marathon — has been centered around the theme “Pure Island, Pure Running Pleasure.” It aims to combine marathon culture with the unique folk characteristics of the island, while also advocating for marine conservation. Through the Changdao Marathon, more people can understand the importance of the island environment and the necessity of protecting the ocean.
In 2016, Mr. Wang Yongming, Chairman of Yonghui Sports, proposed the concept that “characteristic marathons are a city’s new calling card”: A marathon is a celebration for runners and a grand promotional video for a city. By integrating the unique features and highlights of a city with the marathon event, it attracts more people to Yantai and to Changdao, promotes the development of the marathon, and in turn advances the entire tourism industry on Changdao. With the attitude of a “pioneer,” Yonghui Sports has built a complete Changdao Marathon ecosystem. While expanding the sports market, it has also made the marathon a widely recognized new calling card for Yantai.
Ge Bin, spokesperson for Changdao County, said at this year’s Changdao Marathon: “As an ideal leisure and tourism destination, Changdao attracts over 3.5 million domestic and international tourists every year to enjoy its island scenery and rich folk culture. Through the event, we will showcase and enhance the island’s tourism service facilities, introduce more distinctive high-end leisure and vacation products and brands, and build Changdao into a leading domestic and world-class eco-tourism resort island.”
In September, explore every inch of the reefs on foot and savor the flavors of the sea. Run a marathon while admiring the seafood and getting lost in the beauty of the “fairy mountain on the sea” — only then can you truly experience the most pristine island charm.