Participants take off as the starting gun is fired at 8 am. [Photo/cztv.com] 

Jiulong Lake is blessed with picturesque scenery. The participants were able to enjoy a healthy marathon in a beautiful ecological environment, justifying the Jiulong Lake (Ningbo) International Half Marathon’s being credited with having the country’s most beautiful track at the 2016 China Marathon Annual Forum. 

Since April 23 is also World Reading Day, each participant received a book prepared by the organizer and meant to encourage nationwide reading as well as national fitness programs.

Chinese athlete Li Zicheng finished the half marathon in 01:04:27, a record time for the event, while an athlete from Ethiopia won the women’s race.