At 8:00 AM on the 30th, the 2013 Fuzhou 12-Hour Ultra Marathon kicked off at the track and field stadium of the Fujian Provincial Olympic Sports Center, with 115 participants from both sides of the Taiwan Strait and the Chinese mainland—including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Beijing—competing together.
Super marathons are very popular overseas, but still relatively rare on the Chinese mainland. The Fuzhou 12-Hour Ultra Marathon is currently the only ultra marathon event on the mainland. Including this edition, Fuzhou has hosted the 12-hour ultra marathon three times, attracting numerous participants from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau. In the first Fuzhou Super Marathon held in 2011, Taiwanese runner Zhou Pingji won the championship with a distance of 137.2 kilometers.
Taipei-based lawyer Lin Yixiong prepared for three weeks for this race, running over 100 kilometers each week. In an interview with China News Service, he said he participated for friendship and to strive for the best results.
Lin Chengye is one of the three Hong Kong participants. He entered the race because “my friend took part in this event last year—it had great atmosphere, fun, and a challenge to my endurance,” and he hopes “to run over 130 kilometers within 12 hours.”
The age requirement for ultra marathon participants is between 18 and 60. Gao Chaoming, 60, from Xiamen, Fujian, has taken part in the Xiamen International Marathon 11 times. As one of the oldest participants in this race, he believes that the ultra marathon is excellent training for willpower. “By taking part in this event, I maintain a healthy body and also meet many fellow long-distance running enthusiasts.”
According to the organizers, since the ultra marathon lasts 12 hours, participants can take breaks to rest and refuel—such as eating, drinking water, or even getting a massage. Local Fuzhou specialties like fish balls and guobian (rice noodle soup), along with other delicious snacks, were highlights of this event, providing “positive energy” and a richer experience for the athletes.
Notably, the first two editions of this event were approved by local sports bureaus and organized by civilian sports associations. This time, it has officially become a “government-run” event. Approved by the Chinese Athletics Association, the Fuzhou 12-Hour Ultra Marathon has been upgraded to a national Grade G event starting this edition, and is hosted by the Fujian Provincial Sports Bureau.
Currently, both Xiamen and Fuzhou in Fujian are developing marathon events, with the Xiamen Marathon being an international gold-label race. Yan Peng, director of the Athletics and Cycling Management Center at the Fujian Provincial Sports Team, stated that the 12-hour ultra marathon is an extreme sport, which most people find difficult to complete, but it easily attracts public participation and is a great boost for national fitness.