7,000 runners take part in Jingyuetan forest marathon

The 2019 China Changchun Jingyuetan International Forest Marathon was held at the Jingyuetan National Scenic Area in Changchun, capital of Northeast China’s Jilin province, on June 16.

Part of the 2019 Changchun Summer Relaxation Art Festival, which kicked off on June 15, the forest marathon attracted more than 7,000 runners from 34 countries and regions, including the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Australia, Italy, and Spain.

Runners participated in a full forest marathon (42.195 kilometers), a half forest marathon (21.0975 km), and a 7-km mini marathon, as well as running events for families and couples.

The marathon course featured 13 km of mountain slopes, 13 km of forest and sand roads, and a 16-km track surrounding the lake, allowing runners to admire the scenic area’s beautiful landscapes. Runners climbed about 750 meters during the course.

The Changchun Jingyuetan International Forest Marathon was the first forest marathon in China and has taken place every year since 2015, with more than 30,000 runners having participated since its inception.

In recent years, the Changchun Jingyue High-tech Industrial Development Zone has been making efforts to combine natural resources with culture, tourism, and sports, hosting several influential events such as the Jingyuetan International Forest Marathon and the Vasaloppet China Changchun Jingyuetan International Ski Festival.