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October 27, 2016

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City sets the pace for its marathon event

GOOD running weather is forecast for the 2016 Shanghai International Marathon.

The event starts at 7am from the Financial Square on the Bund, with 38,000 runners taking part — 3,000 more than last year.

The full and half marathons will finish at Shanghai Stadium in Xuhui District. There are also 10 kilometer and 5km races.

Staff training has been upgraded this year. Last year, a 26-year-old competitor suffered heart problems in the closing part of the race when running along Longhua Road E in Xuhui District. Prompt action by volunteers and a group of doctors taking part in the event who happened to be cardiac specialists prevented a tragedy.

To ensure a rapid response to any such incidents this year, the organizers have provided emergency training, including how to handle heart scares to more than 100 volunteers and pacesetters.

Together with doctors and medical staff in place along the routes, the trained volunteers and pacers will help to maintain “high vigilance” during the races, the organizers said.

Tang Yufan, who will serve this year as a full-marathon pacesetter — someone who sets the running pace along sections of the route for participants — received emergency training this week. He worked as a medical team volunteer at last year’s marathon.

“For me, this is another way to participate in the event,” said Tang. “This year, I will no longer be a medical staff, but a pacer with medical knowledge, who can help other runners accomplish their dreams. I can also observe the runners and judge if some of them are fit enough to finish the route.”

Of Sunday’s four categories of competitions, 20,000 will be competing in the 42.2km full marathon, 5,000 more than last year. The 21km half marathon will involve 8,000 participants. The 10km and 5km races will each have 5,000 runners.

Following on from five days of wet conditions, Sunday is forecasted to be mostly cloudy with the highest temperature reaching 18 degrees Celsius.

However, due to the influence of an expected cold front, runners are advised to keep themselves warm especially at the start of the race, as temperatures will be as low as 14 degrees early on.




 

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