On January 17, 3,000 runners from home and abroad—including Russia, Pakistan, and Spain—gathered for the 2026 Xuwen Pineapples Sea Fun Run & Guangdong International Friendship Run in Zhanjiang, south China's Guangdong Province.
A vibrant start to the 2026 Xuwen Marathon
Runners race on a country road.
The event featured a special International Friendship Run category, aimed at boosting international exchange.
Runners race between vast pineapple fields and towering wind turbines.
Renowned for its colorful fields and thriving pineapple industry, the course wound through vast stretches of pineapple farms (Pineapples Sea). Runners were treated not only to striking views but also to the sweet fragrance of fruit and flowers lingering in the air.
International runners pose for photos at the Pineapples Sea landmark.
An early morning run through the picturesque landscape
A uniquely scenic run through endless pineapple fields
Notably, 2026 marks the 100th anniversary of pineapple cultivation in Xuwen. It began in 1926 when overseas Chinese returnee Ni Guoliang brought pineapple seedlings back from Southeast Asia. Today, Xuwen grows over 23,333 hectares of pineapples, with an annual output value of approximately 5.4 billion yuan, accounting for about one-third of China's total production. It is widely recognized as the country's leading pineapple-producing region.
The Pineapple Sea
Reporter, photo & video: Chen Huan
Editor: Huang Qini, Ou Xiaoming, Liu Lingzhi, James Campion, Shen He
