—— The press conference for the 2018 Lingshui International Beach Half Marathon was held in Beijing

        To celebrate the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening-up, the 30th anniversary of Hainan becoming a province and establishing an economic special zone, and especially to mark the approval by the Party Central Committee and the State Council for the establishment of the China (Hainan) Pilot Free Trade Zone, Hainan will leverage the comprehensive pilot advantages of the entire island in line with the requirements set forth by the central authorities. Centered around building a comprehensive deepening reform and opening-up pilot zone, a national ecological civilization pilot zone, an international tourism consumption center, and a key strategic service support zone, Hainan will implement a more proactive opening-up strategy, accelerate the development of a new open economic system, foster an all-round new pattern of openness, and establish itself as a crucial gateway for China facing the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In response to the central directives, efforts will be made to develop a national southern sports training base and provincial-level sports centers in Hainan, encouraging the growth of beach sports, water sports, horse racing, and other events. Hainan will also be guided to further host international sporting competitions and supported in introducing additional world-class events.

        The beach sports project “Agile Clearwater Bay · 2018 Lingshui International Beach Half Marathon,” which has been successfully selected as a priority in Hainan’s 100-day Major Investment Drive, will be grandly held on December 2 this year. It is among the first batch of premium international events responding to the “Guiding Opinions of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council on Supporting Hainan in Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Opening-up.” After meticulous preparation, the event finally unveils its mystery at today’s press conference.

        The “Agile Clearwater Bay · 2018 Lingshui International Beach Half Marathon” is jointly organized by the Chinese Athletics Association, the People’s Government of Lingshui Li Autonomous County, and Hainan Agile Real Estate Co., Ltd., with guidance from the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province. It is co-hosted by the Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Press and Publication, Sports of Lingshui Li Autonomous County and Shanghai Xingbo Sports Consulting Co., Ltd. Key leaders from the aforementioned organizations, along with over 50 mainstream domestic and international media outlets, attended the press conference.

        Chen Chunmei, Deputy County Magistrate of the People’s Government of Lingshui Li Autonomous County in Hainan Province, delivered the opening speech. She was specially dressed in traditional Li ethnic costume for the event and introduced: “The Party Central Committee supports the establishment of a Free Trade Zone across the entire island of Hainan and encourages the gradual exploration and steady advancement of a Chinese Free Trade Port. The 2018 Lingshui International Half Marathon is a meaningful attempt by Lingshui to respond to the national Healthy China strategy. As the first beach sports project selected in Hainan’s 100-day Major Investment Drive, this marathon highlights the creation of the world’s longest beach half marathon, featuring an ‘11-kilometer ultra-long beach course + 10-kilometer course.’ It uniquely combines the intangible cultural heritage of the Li people — Li brocade — with the finisher gifts, drawing global attention to the singing shores of Clearwater Bay. Through this event, Lingshui will further promote the development of the sports industry, deepen the integration of sports and tourism, enhance the vitality and cultural richness of Lingshui’s sports culture, and elevate the city’s profile.”

        Mr. Zhao Pu from the Social Activities Department of the Athletics Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China attended the press conference, introduced the basic details of the event, and wished the Lingshui International Beach Half Marathon great success.

        Ms. Xu Mei, Director of the Market and Industry Division of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, noted that Hainan’s cultural and sports industries are developing rapidly and are gradually becoming a new engine for the province’s economic growth. The quality of sporting events continues to improve, and the integration of culture, sports, and tourism industries is being upgraded, contributing to the construction of an international tourism consumption center in Hainan. This year’s 100-day Major Investment Drive in Hainan not only continues to strengthen signature events such as the Tour of Hainan International Road Cycling Race but also introduces several major projects, including the “Lingshui International Beach Half Marathon,” the National South China Sea Cultural and Museum Industry Park project, and the construction of the National Southern Sports Training Base. We look forward to the Lingshui International Beach Half Marathon showcasing a new image and spirit of Hainan to the world.

        Another organizer, Ms. Jian Yuping, President of Agile Group’s Hainan Region, also wore traditional Li brocade attire to the press conference to show her support for the public welfare project of protecting intangible cultural heritage. She said: “Sports are an indispensable means of nurturing national quality, and advancing our country’s sports endeavors is a vital part of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Agile actively responds to the national fitness campaign by sponsoring and naming the ‘Agile Clearwater Bay · 2018 Lingshui International Beach Half Marathon.’ Together with governments at all levels in Hainan, we aim to showcase the fruitful achievements and renewed image of Hainan in culture, sports, and tourism on the 30th anniversary of the province’s establishment and the economic special zone. We will do our utmost to make this marathon the most beautiful and joyful beach marathon brand in China and even the world. Agile will continue to focus on and support the development of the sports industry, hosting initiatives like ‘Second Life Fun Run’ and various sporting activities to engage more people in the fitness craze, experience the healthy lifestyle of ‘Second Life,’ and realize the dream of a joyful life together!”

        Shanghai Xingbo Sports Consulting Co., Ltd., the event organizer with 16 years of experience in international event organization, focuses not only on the event itself but also on the healthy and sustainable development of the event brand and the resulting economic and social benefits. Chairman Wang Zhenyu explained: “This event is conceptually different from others. We align the race with the high expectations the nation has for Hainan, hoping to drive local economic development and social service capacity through the event, fulfilling our social mission as a race organizer. Culturally, we have also chosen to collaborate with Li brocade, an intangible cultural heritage of the Li people in Lingshui, aiming to raise awareness about the protection of intangible cultural heritage, support targeted poverty alleviation, assist artisans dedicated to hand-weaving and underprivileged communities, and shape beautiful rural areas in Hainan.”

        At the press conference, Shanghai Xingbo Sports Consulting Co., Ltd. also signed a strategic agreement with Longguang Town in Lingshui County to support the market-oriented and industrialized development of Li handicrafts as part of a targeted poverty alleviation initiative. Zheng Qirong, Party Secretary of Longguang Town, participated in the signing ceremony. This strategic partnership will help establish a production base for Li brocade locally, significantly advancing the protection and revitalization of Li brocade as intangible cultural heritage. Mr. Zhao Pu from the Social Activities Department of the Athletics Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, Ms. Chen Chunmei, Deputy County Magistrate of Lingshui, Ms. Xu Mei, Director of the Industry Division of the Department of Tourism, Culture, Radio, Television and Sports of Hainan Province, and Ms. Jian Yuping, President of Agile Group’s Hainan Region, all witnessed the signing. The renowned national first-class actor Mr. Shi Dasheng, wearing clothing adorned with a race logo woven in traditional Li brocade, stated that he considers it his duty to promote the protection of intangible cultural heritage and public welfare poverty alleviation projects.

        The Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television, Press and Publication, Sports of Lingshui Li Autonomous County, as one of the organizers, has made extensive preparations for the event. Director Chen Shihong introduced the preparation progress of the 2018 Lingshui International Beach Half Marathon:

(1) The event includes three categories: the half marathon, 10-kilometer run, and 2.5-kilometer family run, with the following routes:

Half Marathon: Starting point at the beach of Agile Clearwater Bay Sales Center ― west to east ― internal road of Free Time Scenic Area in Clearwater Bay Tourism Zone (south to north) ― Maritime Art Center ― south side of Clearwater Bay Avenue (east to west) ― internal road of Blue Sea Sail Shadow (north to south) ― internal road of Singapore Villa (east to west) ― Clearwater Bay beach (west to east) ― Alua Hotel beach (west to east) ― internal road of Coastal Fishing Village Agritainment (south to north) ― south side of Clearwater Bay Avenue (east to west) ― U-turn at the intersection of Clearwater Bay Avenue at Agile Clearwater Bay Sales Center ― south side of Clearwater Bay Avenue (west to east) ― Maritime Art Center ― Leisure Boardwalk of Clearwater Bay Tourism Zone (east to west) ― enter beach via Raffles Hotel intersection ― west to east ― beach at Agile Clearwater Bay Sales Center (finish line)

10-Kilometer Run: Starting point at the beach of Agile Clearwater Bay Sales Center ― Foraminifera Sculpture Plaza ― Maritime Art Center ― Clearwater Bay Yacht Club ― beach at Agile Mountain & Sea Sales Center (finish line)

2.5-Kilometer Family Run: Starting point at the beach of Agile Clearwater Bay Sales Center ― Foraminifera Sculpture Plaza (U-turn) ― beach at Agile Clearwater Bay Sales Center (finish line)

(2) Medal Design:The ribbon incorporates traditional Li brocade patterns, integrating the totems, sunlight, beach, and wave elements from the four quadrants of the event logo into the ribbon design. The medal also features diamond-shaped elements woven into the ribbon, giving it a distinctive regional identity.

(3) Event Highlights:As the first beach sports project selected in Hainan’s 100-day Major Investment Drive, the Lingshui Beach International Half Marathon also includes activities such as a “Mini Marathon (Warm-up Race)” and city promotion runs. Athletes can enjoy a variety of colorful and uniquely Lingshui-style performances, including traditional music, dance, Li brocade handicrafts, sports, and folk culture.

(4) Registration Status:Registration is still open for the event. Among the three categories — half marathon (21.0975 km), 10 km, and 2.5 km family run — the half marathon is nearly full, so domestic and international marathon enthusiasts are encouraged to register soon via the official event website.

        The Agile Clearwater Bay · 2018 Lingshui International Beach Half Marathon will officially commence on December 2. The event will be broadcast live globally via top domestic TV networks and dozens of online streaming platforms. Stay tuned. Registration remains open; for more details, visit the official event website or the Lingshui Marathon JD store to experience the joy of combining marathon running with travel.