2010 Xi'an City Wall International Marathon to open

The 2010 Xi'an City Wall International Marathon will be held on Xi'an City Wall on Nov. 6.

The Xi'an City Wall International Marathon has been held 15 times since it was first held in 1993. A total of more than 35,000 people, including nearly 6,000 foreign athletes from more than 50 countries, have participated over the years in the previous competitions.

Many politicians, celebrities and famous athletes from several countries have also participated in the event as guests. This has further improved and expanded the international and domestic influence of the event.

A total of 1,965 athletes from 56 countries including nearly 600 foreign athletes have registered for the race so far, an increase of 15 participating countries and nearly 100 foreign athletes compared to 2009.

In regards to the competition arrangements, the traditional individual contests of the Xi'an City Wall International Marathon include four groups — Chinese men, Chinese women, foreign men, and foreign women — for the 5-kilometer contest and a men's group and a women's group for the 13.7-kilometer contest and the half-marathon contest. Two group contests, including the 13.7-kilometer relay race for leading cadres from districts and counties and the 60-meter family race, were added in order to give the race a more extensive coverage and stronger interest.

By People's Daily Online