The half-marathon begins at the East Gate of the Saikhantal Urban Grassland. [Photo/Baotou news network]

At 7 am on Aug 11, the first leg of the 2024 Baotou Half Marathon kicked off at the East Gate of the Saikhantal Urban Grassland in Baotou, North China's Inner Mongolia autonomous region. Nearly 10,000 runners from countries such as Ireland and Kenya and 25 regions across China participated.

This year's event featured a half-marathon, a health run, and a fun run, with the half-marathon being the longest and the fun run being the shortest.

Participants of the fun run wear pink outfits as they run. [Photo/Baotou news network]

The race started and finished at the East Gate of the Saikhantal Urban Grassland, passing through iconic landmarks and scenic spots such as Olympic Boulevard and Yellow River Avenue, allowing participants to appreciate the charm of Baotou while they run.

In recent years, the Baotou Marathon has been successfully held a number of times and has become an important showcase for Baotou's unique charm and image.

The marathon series has become an important attraction for Baotou, with many participants learning about Baotou's development and changes and experiencing the evolution of life in the city.