Braving the spring rain, the 2019 China Zhangping (Yongfu) Cherry Blossom International Marathon staged a successful tournament with passion and diversity in Yongfu town, Zhangping, Fujian province on Mar 3. Over 2,000 people took part in the race, including foreign runners from more than ten countries and regions.

After a fiercely competitive race, Chinese runner Liao Shunhu took the title of men's champion with a time of 01:10:42s in the 21.1 kilometer men’s half marathon. Fifty-six seconds slower, Willytanui from Kenya claimed second place, and third prize went to another Chinese runner, Qian Dingbin. Three Chinese women, Yin Xiaoyu, Li Fei and Shi Xiulan, respectively won the top three prizes of the women’s half marathon.

In addition to the half marathon, the contest specially organized a 6 km cherry blossom leisure marathon, allowing more people to get involved. Adults with children, and children with the elderly, ran hand in hand in the spring of Yongfu town.

The race was hosted by the sports bureau of Longyan, the culture and tourism bureau of Longyan and the local government of Zhangping and was honored as "the most beautiful cherry blossom marathon track".

The 2019 China Zhangping (Yongfu) Cherry Blossom International Marathon takes place in Yongfu town, Zhangping, Fujian province on Mar 3, 2019. [Photo by Zhang Jinchuan/chinanews.com]