The 2025 Beijing Marathon kicked off at Tian’anmen Square in Beijing on Sunday, drawing 32,000 participants.
Ethiopia’s Lemi Hayle successfully defended his title, winning the men’s race in 2:08:10. His compatriot Anchinalu Genaneh claimed the women’s crown in 2:26:08.
Before the race, much attention was drawn to the faceoff between North Korea’s runner Han Il-ryong and China’s Yang Chunlong. Han eventually took third place with a time of 2:09:47, while Yang finished sixth in 2:12:06.
Speaking in a post-match interview, Yang said he was satisfied with his performance in the first half but admitted there was still a gap compared with his North Korean competitor. "I’ll keep training hard," he said.
In the women’s field, Chinese runner Huang Xuemei made a remarkable comeback in the final stretch, clocking 2:31:28 to become the top female Chinese finisher.
A full-time programmer by profession, Huang is an amateur athlete who views running as a way to improve herself.
"I gave it everything I had," Huang told the Global Times.
"I didn’t expect to win the domestic women’s title. I was just aiming for second place. Running is more of a leisure activity for me, a way to enhance my overall fitness."
According to the Beijing Marathon organizing committee, the 2025 edition expanded its field from 30,000 to 32,000 participants to allow more running enthusiasts to experience the iconic race.
To enhance runners’ experience, improve performance, and strengthen safety, organizers made systematic adjustments to the course. The route now extends along the Beijing North 4th Ring Road while removing the narrow sections between 18 and 24 kilometers to ease congestion.
The new route passes through the National Speed Skating Oval, highlighting the unique charm of Beijing as a "Dual Olympic City." The addition of the road outside the park near the finishing line gave runners a scenic view of the Olympic Forest Park, while the number of turnaround points in the latter half was reduced from three to one, replacing the old "paperclip" layout with a smoother finish.
The Beijing Marathon, first held in 1981, celebrated its 43rd edition in 2025. Starting from Tian’anmen Square and finishing along the Olympic landscape avenue, the route is widely regarded by runners as a classic course. The event is often hailed as China’s national marathon.
"The Beijing Marathon is such a classic route. This is my fifth time running it, and I could really feel the improvements. The extended finish area, for example, is very friendly to runners," participant Li Zhanwei told the Global Times, adding that he achieved a new personal best this year.
Li further showed his finisher’s medal, which takes inspiration from the "Bird’s Nest" National Stadium. Featuring embossed detailing and a gold-and-red color palette, the medal bears the years "1981-2025" and the full marathon distance, paying tribute to every runner’s perseverance.
The race T-shirt, in traditional gemstone red, incorporates design elements from Chinese palace roofs and finishing tape motifs. The back features the Chinese calligraphic inscription of the cyclical year symbolized by the serpent, reflecting a blend of heritage and modernity.
Organizers also provided comprehensive insurance and high-standard services for all participants and staff. Along the course, there were eight integrated supply stations, seven water stations, and seven energy stations forming a complete support network. The post-race recovery area expanded to 900 square meters and was equipped with ice baths and recovery materials to help athletes recover efficiently.
Beyond the race itself, the event also welcomed the public to join the celebration. The Beijing Marathon Expo was free of charge to all city residents for the first time this year. Visitors could retrace the race’s journey from its humble beginnings in 1981 to its current prominence, reliving over four decades of endurance, passion, and pride.
原文地址：http://en.people.cn/n3/2025/1103/c90000-20385474.html