On March 15, the 2026 Qingyuan Marathon and the First Track National University Marathon League were held in Qingyuan, a city in northern Guangdong province, featuring over 20,000 participants—a record-breaking scale in the full and half-marathon categories.
As the first Class-A certified marathon in Guangdong for 2026, the event proved to be more than just a race; it was a grand showcase of urban vitality and the integrated development of agriculture, culture, tourism, and sports.
The competition was fierce across all categories. In the Men's Full Marathon, Zhu Changrong from Yongzhou, Hunan, clinched the title. For Zhu, victory in Qingyuan felt like a homecoming.
"Qingyuan is my lucky place," Zhu shared affectionately. "I ran my first-ever marathon here back in 2015. Coming back 11 years later to win is an unexpected and wonderful harvest."
In the Women’s Full Marathon, local hero Chen Liqin from Lianzhou, Qingyuan, took the gold in 2:45:01.
Meanwhile, the Half Marathon saw a historic performance from Zhang Xiaojie, a representative of Tsinghua University, who not only won the women’s division in 1:16:35 but also shattered the previous course record.
To help runners achieve their personal bests, the 2026 course was optimized for flatter terrain and lower cumulative elevation. The route wound past iconic landmarks and blossoming flowers of Qingyuan, offering a scenic experience covering both sides of the Beijiang River.
For Zhang Xiaojie, the beauty of the course provided a mental escape. "When I felt exhausted, I noticed flower petals drifting down along the path. It was my first time running on such a beautiful, petal-strewn track. Focusing on the scenery really helped me relax and find the strength to push through."
The National University Marathon League added another layer of collegiate pride to the event. Tsinghua University took home the team championship with an impressive combined time of 15:31:13.
Facing high temperatures, the organizing committee implemented a robust cooling strategy. A total of 61 cheering stations and numerous "cooling zones" were established, featuring 15 ice-water stations, 11 misting points, and unique Qingyuan chicken-shaped iced sponge stations.
The Guangdong goods were also a major highlight on the spot. During the pre-race carnival, 20,000 city gift packs featuring Qingyuan’s signature agricultural products were distributed.
From Qingyuan Chicken and Yingde Black Tea to Zhouxin Roasted Pork, the local delicacies became a hit among runners and visitors.
"I came here specifically for the food," said Li Xiaoli, a runner from Hunan province. "The roasted pigeon was incredible, and the Zhouxin roasted pork is a must-try."
Fellow runner Liu Yanjia from Henan province echoed this sentiment, adding that he was already planning a return trip when the weather gets warmer to experience Qingyuan’s famous river drifting.
Reporter | Guo Chuhua
Photo | Guo Chuhua
