At the end of 2002, a Xiamen long-distance running enthusiast named Zhang Bingzhong suggested holding a marathon along the scenic Island Ring Road in Xiamen. In January 2012, the Xiamen Marathon, now "ten years old," welcomed 73,643 runners from around the world. Over the past decade, the Xiamen Marathon has grown from an event with only 1,000 participants in its inaugural year to become the world’s only race to have been awarded the IAAF Road Race Gold Label for five consecutive years.
A Grand Celebration Marks Its 10th Anniversary
Thanks to joint efforts by government support, corporate sponsorship, and public participation, the Xiamen Marathon has strived over the past 10 years to improve its organizational standards, competitive level, service quality, brand building, and highlight its unique features, steadily advancing toward becoming an internationally renowned event. The 2012 Xiamen International Marathon, organized by Jianfa, centered around “five races and three activities.” It featured five events simultaneously: the Xiamen International Marathon, the National Marathon Points Race, the Wheelchair Half Marathon, Inline Skating Races, and the Cross-Strait Cities Marathon Invitation. Meanwhile, three activities—the National Marathon Cities Symposium, the Torch Lighting Ceremony, and the Marathon Carnival—were also held concurrently.
During the event, representatives from 20 marathon-hosting cities across China attended the symposium to exchange views on how hosting marathons can enhance urban sports culture. Ji Xinpeng and Liu Li, recipients of the Special Contribution Award for the 30th Anniversary of the Xiamen Special Economic Zone, jointly lit the marathon torch, which was brought from Marathon, Greece. A distinctive New Year’s sailing race was also held, creating a spectacular scene where the land-based marathon on the Yanwu Bridge harmonized with sailing events at sea. Various activities during the Marathon Carnival—including an exhibition of marathon gear, a photo retrospective of the marathon’s 10-year history, a cheerleading competition, and a photography contest—added to the festive atmosphere celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Xiamen Marathon.
A Festival for Runners, a Decade of Celebration
This year's race saw 73,643 participants from 56 countries and regions, as well as all provinces and municipalities in China. Among them, 18,358 runners took part in the full marathon, setting a record for domestic marathon events. The wheelchair half marathon included 48 athletes with disabilities from China, Japan, South Korea, and Chinese Taipei. The Cross-Strait Cities Invitation attracted 400 runners from 100 cities, including 10 teams from Taiwan. The inline skating race featured 263 participants. Both the number of participants and the diversity of participating countries and regions reached all-time highs, making it one of the largest domestic competitions.
For road running enthusiasts, participating in the Xiamen Marathon is nothing short of a festive celebration and a wonderful experience. Marching alongside the huge running crowd were not only elderly runners with white hair but also parents running with their children. Among the participants were those wearing masks, people dressed in animal costumes, and individuals jumping rope, walking backward, or even running barefoot—everyone treated the Xiamen Marathon as a stage to showcase a healthy and optimistic spirit. One runner from Henan held up a banner that read “It’s my birthday today” just before the finish line, prompting the roadside cheers to instantly turn into “Happy Birthday!” A young man dressed in a full Superman costume suffered a cramp during the race, and many fellow runners stopped to help stretch the “Superman.” For them, running is about participation and joy.
Decade of Praise for Xiamen Marathon Services
Organizing and servicing an event with over 70,000 participants is a tremendous challenge, but the Xiamen Marathon has delivered a flawless performance over the past ten years. Measures such as staggered start times and timing at the start line helped avoid excessive crowding before the race. As for the baggage storage service, which is a major concern for runners, clear signage and detailed segmentation ensured an orderly process. Post-race procedures were also clearly defined: after crossing the finish line, athletes followed a one-stop service flow to receive towels, food, their stored bags, printed certificates, and chip return—all along a single pathway, making the process efficient and hassle-free.
The most beloved aspect of the Xiamen Marathon for runners is racing along the beautiful coastal route of the Island Ring Road. In terms of course services, the Xiamen Marathon is arguably the best in the country. Course markings were clear, with well-defined lanes throughout each segment. Despite having the longest cutoff time in China—seven hours—each water station remained adequately stocked, even as the cutoff approached, including stations set up on the sea-crossing Yanwu Bridge. Most touching were the volunteer cheer squads along the route, who continuously motivated athletes for the full seven hours without letting up. Xiamen residents also spontaneously joined the volunteer efforts, with many bringing food and drinks in their cars or carrying them by hand, handing them out for free to runners while cheering them on.
Many runners remarked after the race that it was a once-in-a-lifetime, perfect experience. The Xiamen Marathon over the past decade has delivered incredible moments, and it is believed that the future will bring even more surprises.
