On October 20, 2024, the Tianjin Marathon kicked off in the city center, attracting over 121,000 runners from around the world, marking a 28% increase from last year. After a lottery process, 30,000 runners were selected to participate.

This year’s event features a full marathon, a half marathon, and a health run. Specifically, 17,000 participants registered for the full marathon, 8,000 for the half marathon, and 5,000 for the health run. Among the competitors, 48.04% are from Tianjin, while runners from other provinces, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan (65 participants), and international entries (71 runners from 16 countries) make up 51.96%. Notably, the oldest runner is 81 years old, while the youngest is just 13.

The marathon’s route begins at the Tianjin Grand Theatre, with the full marathon ending at the Tianjin Olympic Center and the half marathon concluding at Jin Mao Hui. The 5K health run will finish at Minyuan Square. The course navigates through six districts in Tianjin and Dongli District, showcasing iconic landmarks such as the Five Avenues, Century Clock, and the Tianjin Eye, while highlighting the city’s rich history and beautiful riverside scenery.

Additionally, the event has recruited 330 judges, 65 official pacers, and 5,500 volunteers. There are 33 fixed medical stations along the route, supported by 36 ambulances and 101 AED devices. A team of 102 physician runners and nearly 1,000 medical observers, along with 10 designated hospitals that have set up green rescue channels and dedicated beds, are prepared for any potential medical emergencies.

After a competitive race, three Ethiopian runners claimed the top spots in the men’s marathon, with Asmera Tamiru Beshir winning first place with a time of 2:13:40. The women’s marathon champion, also from Ethiopia, Roman Gidey Berhe, finished with a time of 2:29:34, setting a new event record. Chinese runner Zhang Shanshan secured second place with a time of 2:33:53.

The organizing committee expressed enthusiasm about their new initiative, “Travel with the Race,” which aims to boost tourism and enhance cultural experiences linked to the marathon. They are committed to exploring and implementing a new model of integrated development that connects sports, culture, and tourism. The goal is to further enhance the “Tianma” brand, making it a more influential event and contributing to the growth of sports in Tianjin.