Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

THE Shenzhen International Marathon 2018 will be held Dec. 16 and potential runners can register at www.shenzhenmarathon.org starting 10 a.m. Friday and ending 5 p.m. Nov. 5, the organizer said yesterday.

The organizer is offering a total of 30,000 spots, including 15,000 for the full length and 15,000 for the half length. The quota for full-marathon runners includes slots for 600 teams.

The routes for the full and half marathons are similar to last year’s event. Runners will start at the south square of the Shenzhen Civic Center and go westward onto Shennan Boulevard passing by some iconic scenic spots, including Window of the World. The route for the half marathon will end at the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center, while full-length runners will need to backtrack along the route and return to the Civic Center.

This year’s Shenzhen marathon has canceled the 6-km run, in a bid to better promote the professionalism of marathon events.

The press conference also revealed the design of the medal. The medal features a roc spreading its wings in the middle, accompanied by other elements including the city’s landmarks, clouds and the number 40 to pay tribute to the 40th anniversary of China’s reform and opening up.

Applicants who participated in the 2016 and 2017 Shenzhen marathon with results that meet the national requirements to be considered an elite marathon runner are able to participate without having to enter the lottery.

All successful applicants will have to pay the registration fee between 10 a.m. Nov. 12 and 5 p.m. Nov. 19.