Han Ximin, Liu Shiyang

    ximhan@126.com

    ELEVEN runners, including one in serious condition, were taken to hospitals for treatment after the Bao’an International Marathon yesterday.

    One runner, surnamed Zhang, was taken to Southern Medical University Shenzhen Hospital at around 9:40 a.m., two hours after the race.

    Zhang was unconscious when he was rushed to the hospital, and his heart beat had reached 166 per minute before gradually steadying at around 110, according to doctors at the hospital. Though Zhang had regained consciousness and was recovering, his situation was still critical as of noon yesterday, according to the hospital.

    Five of the other runners receiving treatment at the hospital had minor symptoms such as spasms and pulled muscles. Five runners at Bao’an No. 1 People’s Hospital were still suffering from minor conditions, and some had been discharged from the hospital after receiving treatment.

    Lazarus Too from Kenya and Ugre Dechasa Eresa from Ethiopia were the champions in the men’s and women’s categories of Bao’an’s first marathon.

    Lazarus Too completed the 42.195 kilometers by clocking 2 hours 14 minutes and 31 seconds.

    Another Kenyan runner took second place in 2 hours 14 minutes and 37 seconds. Third place went to an Ethiopian athlete.

    As the first leg of the “Belt and Road” marathon series, the Bao’an International Marathon attracted the enthusiasm of 16,000 participants including 4,000 for the full length, 6,000 in the half length and 6,000 in the carnival running event. The race started and ended at the square of the Bao’an District Government building and went along the roads including Bao’an Boulevard.

    The district invited 25 elite runners from Kenya, Ethiopia, Mongolia, Chile, Poland, Iran, Germany, France and Morocco.

    Chinese runner, Sun Zhiqiang, won first place in the half-marathon, and he attributed part of his success to the smooth race course and pleasant climate.

    “This is the best course that I have ever run in Guangdong,” said Sun, who started running at age 16 and thinks running not only gives him positive energy, but “played a vital role in my life.”

    A college student named Yin Xiaoyu became the women’s champion in the half-marathon. She also praised the race course and the fine weather.