Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon Explained

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Date:April
Location:Yangzhou, China
Type:road
Distance:Half marathon
Est:2006
Record:Men's: 59:52 (2015)
Mosinet Geremew
Women's: 1:07:21 (2016)
Peres Jepchirchir

The Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon is an annual road running competition over the half marathon distance 21.0975km (13.1094miles) which takes place in April in Yangzhou, People's Republic of China.

The event is named in honour of Jianzhen, a Chinese monk from the city who propagated Buddhism in Japan in the 8th century.[1] The event was first held in 2006 and grew exponentially in its first six years: it gained IAAF Silver Label Road Race status in 2010 and began to attract elite and amateur runners alike.[2] Almost 3000 runners finished the half marathon in 2011,[3] while the introduction of a 10K fun run that year saw 25,000 runners take part in the day's event. The race is predominantly Chinese, although 230 foreign athletes were present in 2011.[4] East African athletes typically occupy the higher places in the elite races.[5]

The very flat, point-to-point course is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.[6] The city-centre course begins and ends at the Stadium of Yangzhou Sport Center and passes many of the city's landmarks, including the Wenchang Pavilion, Daming Temple and the Yangzhou Museum.[7]

The men's course record of 59:52 minutes (set in 2015 by Mosinet Geremew) is the fastest ever recorded in China. The women's record holder is Peres Jepchirchir, with her winning time of 1:07:21 from 2016.

Past winners

Key:

class=unsortableEditionDateclass=unsortableMen's winnerTime (h:m:s)class=unsortableWomen's winnerTime (h:m:s)
1st27 May 20061:05:531:13:42
2nd28 Apr 20071:03:231:13:25
3rd06 Apr 20081:02:571:08:59
4th26 Apr 20091:02:001:11:01
5th25 Apr 20101:01:481:11:18
6th24 Apr 20111:01:101:09:41
7th29 Apr 20121:01:111:11:07
8th21 Apr 2013[8] 1:00:391:08:43
9th20 Apr 2014[9] 1:00:081:08:16
10th19 Apr 201559:521:08:36
11th24 Apr 2016[10] 1:00:431:07:21
12th23 Apr 20171:00:561:10:30
13th22 Apr 20181:01:311:09:06
14th21 Apr 201959:561:08:04
15th8 November 2020[11]

External links

32.3908°N 119.3653°W

Notes and References

  1. Cross, Brian (2010-04-24). Nina Rillstone of New Zealand Wins Half Marathon in China. Suite 101. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
  2. Jalava, Mirko (2011-04-25). Merga and Dibaba sweep for Ethiopia in Yangzhou. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
  3. http://www.yzmls.com/?fpage/i145 2011 Half Marathon results
  4. Sun Xiaochen (2011-04-25). Ethiopians dominate Yangzhou race. China Daily. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
  5. Jalava, Mirko (2012-04-30). Abshero and Ongori take Half Marathon victories in Yangzhou. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-05-03.
  6. http://www.yzmls.com/?fnew/l2/i26 International Measurement Certificate
  7. http://www.hkrunners.com/node/2400 2009 Yangzhou China Jianzhen International Half-Marathon 第四屆中國揚州鑒真國際馬拉松(半程)
  8. Jalava, Mirko (2013-04-21). Ethiopian double in Yangzhou. IAAF. Retrieved on 2013-04-22.
  9. http://www.worldrunning.com/news/course-records-smashed-in-yangzhou/ Course records smashed in Yangzhou
  10. Wu, Vincent (2016-04-24). World champion Jepchirchir sets course record at Yangzhou Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-04-24.
  11. Originally scheduled on 12 April but delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic