Jin Battern, Chairman of the executive commission of International Air Transport Association, attended the race and pulled the trigger of the starting pistol for the competition. Over 600 runners from world airlines, as well as over 100 local volunteers, participated in the 28th annual World Airline Road Race held in Hangzhou.

Other participants included Wang Guoping, member of the standing committee of CPC Zhejiang Committee and chief secretary of CPC Hangzhou Committee; Cai Qi, mayor of Hangzhou; Zhao Jinyong; director of Zhejiang Tourism Bureau; and Zhang Jianting, vice mayor of Hangzhou.

Over 1500 officials and their families from 48 international airlines visited Hangzhou to enjoy the event, including those from Deutsche Lufthansa, American Boeing Company, United Airlines, Continental Airlines, Air New England, Air Canada, Air France, Swiss International Air Lines, Aeromexico, Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways.

The World Airline Road Race, or WARR, is currently the biggest sporting event in the tourism industry. The first race was held in Los Angeles in 1982 and for 27 years airline employees have turned out in droves to the WARR 5 km and 10 km races, which have been held in five different continents.

Over 100 airlines are represented, hailing from around the world and ranging from commercial lines to cargo lines, to airplane manufacturers.

Individual and team trophies are awarded according to a number of criteria, including airline size, distance from the race location, and of course, speed.

With the theme of peace, friendship and progress, the event can be said to be the Olympics of the airline industry.

Over 600 runners from world airlines, as well as over 100 local volunteers, participated in the 28th annual World Airline Road Race held in Hangzhou.

Over 600 runners from world airlines, as well as over 100 local volunteers, participated in the 28th annual World Airline Road Race held in Hangzhou.

Over 600 runners from world airlines, as well as over 100 local volunteers, participated in the 28th annual World Airline Road Race held in Hangzhou.