Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon
| Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon | |
|---|---|
 The course passes Yangzhou's Wenchang Pavilion | |
| Date | April |
| Location | Yangzhou, China |
| Event type | road |
| Distance | Half marathon |
| Established | 2006 |
| Official site | YZMLS |
The Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon (Chinese: 扬州鉴真国际半程马拉松赛) is an annual road running competition over the half marathon distance 21.0975 kilometres (13.1094 mi) 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.[8]
Past winners
Key: Course record
| Edition | Year | Men's winner | Time (h:m:s) | Women's winner | Time (h:m:s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 2006 |  Li Rongtian (CHN) |
1:05:53 |  Ruth Wanjiru (KEN) |
1:13:42 |
| 2nd | 2007 | Cheng Tao (CHN) |
1:03:23 | Zhu Xiaolin (CHN) |
1:13:25 |
| 3rd | 2008 | Zhao Ran (CHN) |
1:02:57 | Zhou Chunxiu (CHN) |
1:08:59 |
| 4th | 2009 | John Musyoki (KEN) |
1:02:00 | Zhang Yingying (CHN) |
1:11:01 |
| 5th | 2010 |  Ahmed Baday (MAR) |
1:01:48 |  Nina Rillstone (NZL) |
1:11:18 |
| 6th | 2011 |  Deriba Merga (ETH) |
1:01:10 | Mare Dibaba (ETH) |
1:09:41 |
| 7th | 2012 | Ayele Abshero (ETH) |
1:01:11 | Philes Ongori (KEN) |
1:11:07 |
| 8th | 2013[9] | Yacob Jarso (ETH) |
1:00:39 | Worknesh Degefa (ETH) |
1:08:43 |
| 9th | 2014[10] |  Nguse Tesfaldet (ERI) |
1:00:08 | Gladys Cherono (KEN) |
1:08:16 |
| 10th | 2015 | Mosinet Geremew (ETH) |
59:52 | Flomena Cheyech (KEN) |
1:08:36 |
| 11th | 2016[8] | Mosinet Geremew (ETH) |
1:00:43 | Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) |
1:07:21 |
References
- ↑ Cross, Brian (2010-04-24). Nina Rillstone of New Zealand Wins Half Marathon in China. Suite 101. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ↑ Jalava, Mirko (2011-04-25). Merga and Dibaba sweep for Ethiopia in Yangzhou. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ↑ 2011 Half Marathon results. YZMLS. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ↑ Sun Xiaochen (2011-04-25). Ethiopians dominate Yangzhou race. China Daily. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ↑ Jalava, Mirko (2012-04-30). Abshero and Ongori take Half Marathon victories in Yangzhou. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-05-03.
- ↑ International Measurement Certificate. YZMLS. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ↑ 2009 Yangzhou China Jianzhen International Half-Marathon 第四屆中國揚州鑒真國際馬拉松(半程). Hong Kong Runners. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- 1 2 Wu, Vincent (2016-04-24). World champion Jepchirchir sets course record at Yangzhou Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-04-24.
- ↑ Jalava, Mirko (2013-04-21). Ethiopian double in Yangzhou. IAAF. Retrieved on 2013-04-22.
- ↑ Course records smashed in Yangzhou World Running, 20 April, 2014
External links
Coordinates: 32°23′27″N 119°21′55″E / 32.39083°N 119.36528°E