Beijing Marathon back after two-year absence with COVID-19 rules in force
The Hindu
Beijing
About 30,000 runners, some wearing face masks, took part on Sunday in a chilly and smoggy first Beijing Marathon since 2019 after COVID-19 cancelled previous races.
It was the first major sporting event in the Chinese capital since the Winter Olympics in February and took place despite a rebound in infections across China.
China continues to adhere to a strict zero-COVID policy, with harsh lockdowns, quarantines and testing regimens imposed after even the smallest outbreaks.
As a result, only people living in Beijing were allowed to compete in the race, unlike previous editions, which had attracted foreign runners.
"I realised my dream today," 31-year-old participant Gao Lixiang told AFP. "I've been running for about a year now. I haven't stopped preparing for this first marathon."
Some runners kept their face masks on for the race, which Anubaike Kuwan from Xinjiang won in two hours, 14 minutes and 34 seconds with his arrival at Beijing's Olympic Park.
The marathon was meant to resume last year but was cancelled again to avoid any outbreaks of COVID-19 ahead of the Beijing Olympics.
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