2024 Shanghai Marathon concludes with outstanding performances, future plans

The 2024 Shanghai Marathon, China's sole candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors, unfolded on Dec 1, drawing 38,000 runners to take part in the year-end sports spectacle. The event showcased remarkable athletic feats and exciting competitions that captivated both participants and spectators.

Samsom Amare from Eritrea set a blazing pace to secure the men's title in the full 42-kilometer marathon, clocking in time of 2:06:26. Ethiopian athlete Bekelech Gudeta Borecha triumphed in the women's category, achieving a time of 2:25:21. Domestically, Wu Xiangdong seized the men's title with a swift time of 2:09:31, while Zhang Deshun claimed victory in the women's division, crossing the finish line in 2:26:39.

Under the theme "Run For Love, Run For Big", the 2024 Shanghai Marathon began at 7 am from the Bund Bull and culminated at the Xujiahui Sports Park and the Shanghai Exhibition Center. The event featured three distinct categories catering to various participants and fitness enthusiasts, namely marathons, fitness runs, and a wheelchair race, which was included for the first time by the annual event, aligning with the Abbott World Marathon Majors' standards. The division, which attracted 20 athletes, was started 15 minutes earlier for safety reasons.

A total of 47 elite runners, comprising 27 international and 20 from China, were invited to compete, all striving to surpass the Shanghai Marathon record of 2:05:35.

During the post-race news conference, Deputy Director Luo Wenhua of the Shanghai Sports Bureau announced that the 2025 Shanghai Marathon will take place on Nov 30, with registration opening no later than June 30, 2025. This proactive scheduling marks the first time the Shanghai Marathon has immediately disclosed the following year's event date after the current year's conclusion, signaling a closer alignment with international events.

"By announcing the event date in advance, we aim to provide more time for overseas runners to learn about the Shanghai Marathon, plan their participation, and personally experience the unique charm of Shanghai," Luo said.

As a candidate race for the Abbott World Marathon Majors, the Shanghai Marathon not only seeks to benchmark top-tier events in organization and service but also aims to take significant strides in promotion, internationalization, and operational excellence, Luo added.

Li Junfeng contributed to this story.