A news briefing held at SIP Modern Building on Feb 26 announced that the 2018 (9th) Suzhou Jinji Lake International Half Marathon (SZJLIHM) will kick off at SIP's Moonlight Dock on Mar 11.

Honored "Gold Label Road Race" by Chinese Athletic Association, SZJLIHM was initiated in SIP in 2010. It boasts beautiful lakeside sceneries all the way through and unique local culture highlighted during the event.

This year's event will retain these characteristics. Specially designed distance marks will be erected along the course to showcase the over-2,500-year historical evolution of Suzhou city in a chronological order. Moreover, the design of the medals will incorporate elements related to Suzhou-style sculpture, small bell, longevity lock and folding fan.

According to the announcement, 30,000 out of 57,538 applicants from 51 countries and regions will compete in the half, short, mini and parent-child marathon races.