Ningbo to host intl half marathon in April

The 2019 Jiulong Lake International Half Marathon is slated to take place in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on April 14. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]

The 2019 Jiulong Lake International Half Marathon is to take place in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on April 14, marking the beginning of the National Half Marathon Championships, according to a recent press conference.

The competition includes a 21.0975-kilometer half marathon, an 11.7-km short-range marathon and a 3.7-km mini marathon with 4,500, 2,500 and 3,000 runners respectively, with registration now full for all three races.

Themed on "health, love, and environmental protection", half of the entry fees will be donated to the local red cross society.

In addition to awards for the top 100 runners of the half marathon, the competition this year plans to set up various other awards to encourage more local residents take part in the running contest, including awards for local participants.

An array of activities will also be organized to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the founding of modern China, such as 70 Chinese participants born on Oct 1 wearing customized clothes for the competition.

To ensure the event runs smoothly, about 10 ambulances, 12 medical aid stations, 30 medical aid runners, 30 medical aid riders, 40 automated external defibrillators (AED), and 290 medical workers will be equipped at the scene to guarantee the safety of the runners.

After the race's first 5 km, a drinking station will be available every 2.5 km and a refreshment station every 5 km, with a plentiful supply of bananas, breads, and drinks.

More than 12,000 volunteers were selected to work for the marathon after receiving comprehensive training.

Medals for the half marathon race of the 2019 Jiulong Lake International Half Marathon event. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]