Zhang Yu

JeniZhang13@163.com

HE JIE made history by becoming the first Chinese runner to win a full marathon gold medal in the HONOR•Shenzhen Marathon 2022, which kicked off at 7:30 a.m. at the Civic Center in Futian District and ended at Qianhai Stone Park in Qianhai yesterday.

He took the men’s title after completing the 42.195-kilometer full race in 2:13:29.

Adula Askale Alemayehu from Ethiopia was crowned in the women’s group with a time of 2:34:19.

The event saw 10,000 full marathon runners (including 300 running groups) from 14 countries and regions, 34 of whom were foreign nationals and 78 from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan.

Another 10,000 runners from 23 countries and regions, 48 of whom were foreign nationals and 100 from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, joined the 21-kilometer half marathon.

Ethiopian runners Tafese Delelegn Abebe and Fentahun Hunegnaw Simene finished second and third in the men’s group. He Jie took home US$20,000 prize money, while the second and third prize winners got US$15,000 and US$10,000, respectively.

“The scenery is very beautiful along the way and the atmosphere is very good. The pace was set naturally,” He Jie said.

Alemayehu was also pleased with her results. “Shenzhen is a beautiful city and I’m motivated while I’m running. I feel good overall,”she said.

For the women’s full marathon, Chinese runner Yang Hua finished third and the runner-up was from Ethiopia.

While expat runners enjoyed the much-awaited marathon, fellow expat volunteers cheered for them along the route.

“The vibes are cheerful as more people come and root for the runners. It’s my first time to volunteer in a marathon. It’s a new and interesting experience for me,” a Russian volunteer who identified herself as Maria told Shenzhen Daily yesterday.

Turk Esma Toprak, a Ph.D. student at Shenzhen University, said the marathon was well organized. “The organizers have really worked to provide a good and safe environment for the runners. There are many volunteers and staffers. It’s good to see people coming together and supporting the runners.”

Toprak said she would like to participate in next year’s race.

The marathon also highlighted a lot of tech elements, with technology enterprises such as Tencent, HONOR, Unilumin, DJI and Pudu Robotics joining hands to provide technical support.

More than 3,000 volunteers, including 549 students from Shenzhen University, were recruited by the marathon organizers. In addition, a total of 26 medical stations were set up.