Registration has opened for the national speed skating marathon -- Baotou division -- according to a report in the Baotou Daily.

As of Jan 3, some 150 athletes from areas including North China and Northeast China had signed up to take part in the event.

The marathon, which is part of a series of national ice and snow season activities, is being co-hosted by the Winter Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport and the Sports Bureau of Inner Mongolia autonomous region.

It will run from mid-January to early February on the artificial lake located in Baotou Olympic Park.

Activities will include the Baotou Speed Skating International Invitational Tournament, the First Baotou Ice Hockey Friendship Tournament, the Baotou Youth Short Track Speed Skating Invitational Tournament and the Baotou Ice and Snow Fun Tournament.

In addition, activities will be staged such as a Baotou ice and snow display, short track speed skating training sessions and exhibitions featuring the ice and snow sports development of Baotou city.