A marathon is more than just a long run.
It's a powerful force driving local economies, fueling sports culture and bringing people together.
Let's find out how the marathon is making an impact beyond the finish line.
Coming to you live from Beijing, this is Roundtable.
I'm Ha Young.
For today's program, I'm joined by Steve Hatherly and Yu Shen in the studio.
First on today's show, think marathons are just about running while think again.
In China, for almost a decade, marathons have evolved into a massive sports,
lifestyle and local economic event, attracting millions of participants and tourists alike.
From breathtaking routes that highlight city culture to smart tech races featuring humanoid robots,
this spring marathon season is a transformative experience with local economies benefiting sports culture growing and people connecting like never before.
We'll dive into why these races are more than just sports.
They are shaping local economies.
So, a marathon covers 42.195 kilometers or 26.2 miles and that's very long.
It is.
So, how big are marathons in China?
Oh, they are big.
Apparently, there's this estimation from Sohu News saying that in 2025,
we'll see nearly 200 marathons and related road races held throughout the year,
including 70 World Athletic Certified events.