A national speed skating marathon kicked off in Baotou city, in North China’s Inner Mongolia autonomous region, with an opening ceremony staged on Jan 14, according to a report in the Baotou Evening News.

Competitions held on the day included a girl’s 2 kilometer speed skating event, boy’s 3 km speed skating and women's 3 km speed skating.

The marathon, which is part of a series of national winter sports, 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 until 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 development of winter sports in Baotou.

Skaters hit the ice at national speed skating marathon which kicked off in Baotou in Inner Mongolia autonomous region on Jan 14. [Photo/Baotou Evening News]