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November 23, 2016

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Home » City specials » Hangzhou

Hangzhou events for fleet-footed fitness fans

By Wu Huixin | November 23, 2016, Wednesday | Print Edition

THE 2016 Hangzhou Marathon was held earlier this month. Dating back to 1987, the annual race is one of the oldest of its kind in China and regularly draws competitors from all over the world.

This year, a total of 32,000 runners — out of over 73,000 applicants — were selected by lottery to take part in the event.

In case you missed the city’s premier marathon, there are plenty of other races and walking event happening in and around Hangzhou throughout the year. Many of these are held in smaller towns and villages and set against the backdrop of beautiful valleys, creeks, mountain paths and country roads.

Today, Shanghai Daily takes a look at some of these diverse events where athletes of all skill levels can have fun and push their limits.

Hangzhou Xishan Mountain Climbing Race

Compared with other races in the countryside, the route for this climbing-oriented event changes every year, but always takes participants through the hills surrounding Xishan Mountain.

There are no vertical ascents and no special equipment is required. The route usually includes plenty of flatter sections that make this event suitable for most people with a moderate level of fitness.

The event normally takes place in late autumn. Unfortunately, the last edition came and went on November 5, but local fitness fans should definitely take note of this exciting event for next year.

Registration procedures and fees change each year, depending on
sponsor requirements.

Lanxi Rural Marathon

This scenic cross-country race stretches along the Lanzhi Road that links four towns and 31 villages. Participants can register for a 21-kilometer half-marathon distance and a 3km mini marathon. It usually takes place during spring when the Lanxi area is ablaze with vibrant yellow rapeseed flowers, a local cash crop. The scenery is also enlivened by blossoming peach trees that dot the surrounding fields and ridges. In its last edition, the race attracted over 7,000 runners; some from as far away as Kenya, Ethiopia and Britain.

 

Date: usually in mid- to late-March

Website: lx.zjim.org

Admission: 60 yuan (US$8.7) for half marathon, 30 yuan for mini marathon

Hangzhou International Trail Walk Conference

It is not a real conference as the name indicates, but a big public outing. Since the first edition was held in 2011, this large-scale event has evolved into one of Hangzhou’s most popular outdoor activities. Many local companies use the event as team-building excursion.

This year, 15,000 spots were snapped up in the five hours after the event’s official website opened.

Routes include distances of 5km, 15km, 30km and 50km. The routes start at Hangzhou Citizen Center in Jianggan District, follow the Qiantang River, and finish at Hushan Square in Binjiang District.

 

Date: in late October

Website: www.gjyxdh.com/index.html

Admission: 50 yuan for 5km and 15km, 60 yuan for 30km and 60km

Thousand Islands Lake Marathon

The Thousand Islands Lake Marathon includes 42km and 10km distances, as well as a 4.2km mini-race route for families. It was added to the Hangzhou marathon calendar two years ago.

The route follows Chunyang Road, which stretches from Jiangbu Bridge to Fenkou Town. As the names suggests, it also takes participants along the shores of Thousand Islands Lake. In addition to its gorgeous lake views, the route winds through several ancient villages and towns.

The local government has invested more than 500 million yuan (US$76 million) on running and cycling paths around the lake, which is now a favorite destination for sports lovers.

 

Date: November 27

Website: qiandaohu.huluanpao.com

Admission: 260 yuan for 42km route, 100 yuan for 10km route, 120 yuan for family mini route

Zhejiang University International Marathon

The race includes half (21.1km), short (11km) and mini (3.66km) distances. The route is located inside the Zijinggang campus of Zhejiang University, which is regularly described as one of the most beautiful campuses in the country.

Designed by Professor Peter Berten of the Berlin Institute of Technology, the campus resembles many of its counterparts in Europe and the US. Unlike many schools in China, it has neither a gate nor enclosing walls, but features an artificial 3-meter-wide river around the campus.

Streams and ponds converge at a lake in the center of the campus. Vegetation crisscrosses the campus rather than forming a simple lawn. Notable buildings include a shell-like gym and a moon-shaped activity center. A 500-meter-long corridor with a curved glass covering connects every building in the east block.

As if the scenery weren’t impressive enough, this fun campus run is sure to conjure up memories of your carefree college days.

 

Date: November 27

Website: www.jiugongtiyu.com

Admission: 15 yuan per student, 50 yuan per person

Hangzhou


 

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