Participants hit the road at the start of the Baotou First International Marathon which kicks off in Baotou, North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, on Aug 18. The event included a full marathon, half marathon, and mini marathon (about five kilometers), attracting some 16,000 participants from 33 provinces, autonomous regions and cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Inner Mongolia autonomous region, as well athletes from 11 countries including the US, UK and Germany. [Photo/Baotou Daily]

Bao Yu, an athlete from Tongliao in Inner Mongolia, wins first place in the men’s full marathon with a time of 2 hours, 23 minutes and 20 seconds, on Aug 18. [Photo/Baotou Daily]