Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon ends on high note

The 2025 Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon fired its starting gun at 7:30 am on March 30, with about 30,000 runners from home and abroad taking to the streets.

Throngs of participants run in the thrilling 2025 Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon on March 30. [Photo/WeChat account: yzs_lyj]

Sprinting past iconic landmarks like Dongguan Ancient Ferry, Wenchang Pavilion, and the serene Slender West Lake, the runners were treated to Yangzhou's rich tapestry of historical and cultural beauty. Running along the meandering Grand Canal, they were also able to enjoy the stunning waterway scenery before finishing the race at the idyllic Mingyue Lake.

Runners race by the Wenchang Pavilion. [Photo/WeChat account: yzs_lyj]

In a display of impressive athlecticism, Alex Nzioke Matata from Kenya took the men's championship, shattering the previous record with an impressive 59:31. Meanwhile, Catherine Reline Amanangole, also hailing from Kenya, secured the women's title, setting a new record of 1:07:05.

Alex Nzioke Matata charges towards the finish line. [Photo/WeChat account: yzs_lyj]

First held in 2006, the Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon holds the distinction of being the seventh city marathon in China and the first in Jiangsu province. For 11 consecutive years, it has been honored with the prestigious Gold Label Road Race status by World Athletics, a testament to its enduring vitality and high-quality organization.