Wuhan Marathon is back! 

It has been 1,463 days since the last Wuhan Marathon was held.

This year's Wuhan Marathon started at 7:30 a.m. on April 16. A total of 26,000 runners participated in the race, with 8,000 in the full marathon, 10,000 the half marathon, and 8,000 the 13-km health run. More than 100 contestants from five continents' 32 countries and regions, including Ethiopia, Kenya, France, the U.S., the U.K., Russia, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, were present in addition to local competitors.

A comprehensive view of Wuhan's cultural and natural surroundings was presented to runners along the 42.195-km course, which connects "one city, two rivers, three towns, four bridges, and five lakes."

The international competitors and officials from the French, American, Korean, and British Consulate Generals heartily congratulated the return of Wuhan Marathon and lauded the event for its great organization and management. They claimed that this spectacular event fully demonstrates the vitality of the city and the hospitality of its residents.

Kenya's Lucy Karimi Tigist, the winner of the women's full marathon, praised Wuhan for its gorgeous scenery along the route and the passion of the people. "People in Wuhan are so nice, everyone is cheering for us," she said.

Jean-Yves ROUX, Consul General of the French Consulate General in Wuhan, said that he was glad to see the resumption of Wuhan Marathon, adding that he had a French friend who made a trip from Changsha to Wuhan for the competition, which showed the influence and appeal of the marathon.

Melissa Lan, Consul General of the U.S. Consulate General in Wuhan, said that 21 Americans participated in the competition and that she was happy to be there for this international sporting event.

Ha Sung Ju, Consul General of the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Wuhan, successfully completed the 13-km health run. "I had a great time today," he said, adding that Wuhan Marathon has become one of the links for people-to-people communication and that participants, while enjoying the fun of sports themselves, can stimulate a nationwide passion for exercise. He also hopes to restart the Taekwondo exchange program between Wuhan and its sister cities in the Republic of Korea so that athletes can visit each other and exchange skills.

Olivia Hildebrand, Deputy Consul General of the British Consulate General in Wuhan, said that it was a great event and she was very impressed. According to her, the U.K. has been collaborating with Hubei and Wuhan in lots of key areas such as the premier skills program, and they are also looking at some new areas like marathon, cycling, and equestrian.

During this spring, overwhelmed by the atmosphere of 2023 Wuhan Marathon, the city is turned into a carnival with friends from all over the world running for the future and fun. Wuhan Marathon, see you next time!

Editor: Zong Xia