The 2021 Suzhou Jinji Lake Half Marathon kicked off in SIP on Apr 18. As the starter pistol was fired, 20,000 people started their running along two routes around the beautiful Jinji Lake.
Suzhou Jinji Lake Half Marathon, themed “Run for Love” and dubbed a “Gold Label Road Race” by Chinese Athletic Association, is held annually in Suzhou since 2010 except for a suspension last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Jointly sponsored by the Publicity Department of CPC Jiangsu Committee, Jiangsu Sports Bureau and the People’s Government of Suzhou, this year’s event consisted of the half marathon (21.0975 km) and the mini marathon (around 4.5 km) which attracted the runners of different ages and from different social circles.
The contestants ran along the lakeshore through a number of local landmark buildings like Suzhou Culture and Arts Centre, Ligongdi Cultural and Creative Block, Oriental Arc and Suzhou Center Mall.
Eventually, Zhu Baojun from Soochow University scooped the championship in the men’s half marathon race, and Liu Meng from Yangzhou University won the championship in the women’s half marathon race.
Strict anti-epidemic measures were adopted to protect the safety of the participants. Suzhou Public Security Bureau SIP Office dispatched about 1,500 security staff to ensure that the event went on in an orderly manner, while a number of medics and volunteers served on site.
