Welcome to the fascinating world of Guangzhou Marathon. In this article, we will thoroughly explore all aspects related to Guangzhou Marathon, from its origins to its impact on today's society. Over the next few lines, we will discover what makes Guangzhou Marathon so relevant, what the current trends are and where it is headed in the future. Whether you are an expert in Guangzhou Marathon or just starting to get familiar with the topic, this article will provide you with a complete and up-to-date overview of everything you need to know about Guangzhou Marathon. Get ready to immerse yourself in a journey of knowledge and discovery about Guangzhou Marathon!
Guangzhou Marathon | |
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![]() Entering Haixinsha Island on the Pearl River in 2012 | |
Date | December |
Location | Guangzhou, Guangdong, China |
Event type | Road |
Distance | Marathon |
Established | 2012 |
Course records | Men: 2:06:28 (2024)![]() Women: 2:23:50 (2019) ![]() |
Official site | http://guangzhou-marathon/en/ |
Participants | ~20,000 (2020)[1] |
The Guangzhou Marathon is an annual marathon race held in December in the city of Guangzhou, China, since 2012. The marathon is categorized as a Gold Label Road Race by World Athletics.[2]
The event was first held on 18 November 2012. Two people died during the event: a 21-year-old male student died after completing the 10 km race and a 25 year old real estate agent collapsed before completing the 5 km race.[3][4][5]
In 2015, Sentayehu Merga Ejigu crossed the finish line first with a course record time of 2:09:57, but was later disqualified for failing an in-competition drug test.[6][7][8] This led to the promotion of the second runner to cross the finish line, Abdellah Tagharrafet, to first place.[9] He too had broken the course record, with a time of 2:10:01, but he too was later disqualified for doping.[9][10][11][a] As a result, the third runner to cross the finish line, Ethiopian Raji Assefa, was then promoted to first place.[12][b]
In 2019, Gebretsadik Abraha Adihana won the men's race with a time of 2:08:04 and Hiwot Gebrekidan won the women's race with a new course record of 2:23:50.[14]
In 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, only runners who resided in areas of mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, or Taiwan that were deemed to be at low risk for the virus were allowed to participate.[15][c] In addition, the marathon was the only distance offered that year.[15][d] A year later, the 2021 Guangzhou Marathon was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.[18]
In 2024, Gebise Debele won the men's race with a new course record of 2:06:28 and Anchialem Haymanot won the women's race with a time of 2:25:13.[19]
A separate marathon is also held in Huangpu, Guangzhou later in December. As of 2024, while the Guangzhou Marathon is a Gold label World Athletics race, the Guangzhou Huangpu Marathon is only classified as Elite level.[20][21]
External image | |
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Beginning at Tianhe Stadium, the marathon initially heads south to the Pearl River.[22][15] The course then largely runs along both sides of the river, with the rest of the first half mostly either on or east of the Liede Bridge, and most of the rest of the second half west of the bridge.[22] The last few kilometres are run on Ersha Island and Haixinsha Island before entering Huacheng Square for the finish.[22][15]
Key: Course record (in bold)
Ed. | Date | Men's winner | Time[e] | Women's winner | Time[e] | Rf. |
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1 | 18 November 2012 | ![]() |
2:11:05 | ![]() |
2:26:46 | [13] |
2 | 24 November 2013 | ![]() |
2:11:25 | ![]() |
2:39:17 | [23][24] |
3 | 23 November 2014 | ![]() |
2:13:08 | ![]() |
2:31:17 | [25][26] |
4 | 6 December 2015 | ![]() |
2:11:46 | ![]() |
2:28:02 | [12][27] |
5 | 11 December 2016 | ![]() |
2:11:09 | ![]() |
2:31:52 | [28] |
6 | 10 December 2017 | ![]() |
2:10:03 | ![]() |
2:25:12 | [29] |
7 | 9 December 2018 | ![]() |
2:10:44 | ![]() |
2:26:44 | [30] |
8 | 8 December 2019 | ![]() |
2:08:04 | ![]() |
2:23:50 | [31] |
9 | 13 December 2020 | ![]() |
2:15:08 | ![]() |
2:35:21 | [32][1][33] |
10 | 10 December 2023 | ![]() |
2:09:02 | ![]() |
2:28:30 | [34] |
11 | 8 December 2024 | ![]() |
2:06:28 | ![]() |
2:25:13 | [35] |
Country | Total | Men's | Women's |
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![]() |
15 | 6 | 9 |
![]() |
3 | 2 | 1 |
![]() |
2 | 1 | 1 |
![]() |
2 | 2 | 0 |