The 2018 Yellow River Estuary International Marathon is held in Dongying, Shandong province on May 5. [Photo/WeChat account: dyzk2013]

The 2018 Yellow River Estuary International Marathon kicked off in Dongying, Shandong province on May 5 as an important part of the "Run China" marathon series.

The competition consists of four parts—a full marathon (42.195 kilometers), half marathon (21.0975 km), mini marathon (5 km) and fitness running (1 km) to encourage both amateurs and professional runners to join.

Nearly 32,000 marathon enthusiasts from 70 countries and regions took part in this running event, including 13,434 for the full and half marathons and 18,542 for the mini one.

After fierce competition, Joel Conboy Gilmuir from Ethiopia claimed the men's title for the full marathon in 2 hr 13 min 28 sec while Letbhan Gabreslacia from Ethiopia took the women's first prize in 2:24:7, which broke her own record of 2:25:1.

Joel Conboy Gilmuir from Ethiopia claims the men's title for the full marathon in 2 hr 13 min 28 sec at the marathon held in Dongying, Shandong province on May 5. [Photo/WeChat account: dyzk2013]

Over 3,000 police officers, more than 500 medical personnel and more than 3,000 volunteers served the event. 72 cheering teams and 84 special volunteers were recruited to cheer for athletes at different times and to provide guide service on the scene.

In addition to the live telecast on CCTV5, the state broadcaster's sports channel with live commentary, the competition was rebroadcast on satellites in 50 countries and regions.

Dongying has been holding the marathon competition since 2008. The number of contestants has increased from 3,010 in 2008 to more than 30,000 in this year's event and the number of participating countries and regions has expanded from 11 to 70.  

The Dongying marathon has won the "Gold Medal Match" of China Marathon for the six consecutive years, won the "Silver Label Event" of the IAAF in 2015 and 2016, and won the "Golden Label Event" of the IAAF in 2017 and 2018. It promotes the rapid development of the national fitness program in Dongying.