2018 Xi'an ( Yan Go Group ) International Marathon Race

China.org.cn--Xi'an ( Yan Go Group ) International Marathon was held in Yong Ning Gate Square on Oct. 20th, 2018. More than 30,000 athletes from more than 30 countries and regions gathered in the ancient city of Xi'an to run in Xi'an, helping Xi'an to catch up and surpass, and to build an international metropolis rally.

At the start, 30,000 runners dressed themselves in blue race suits and held their left hands high. The words "I Love Xi'an" were printed on the exclusive gloves. They shouted out "Xi'an, Here I Come", cheered for themselves and marathon to push the atmosphere of the start to a climax.

Jiqing Shangguan, Mayor of Xi'an and Director of the Organizing Committee, Shui Tao, Director of Social Activities Department of Track and Field Management Center of General Administration of Sport, Secretary General of Organizing Committee, Wang Yong, Director of Shaanxi Sports Bureau, Li Yuan, Vice Mayor of Xi'an and Executive Deputy Director of the Organizing Committee, Li Dewen, Director General of Municipal Government, Feng Yanyang, Deputy Secretary-General of the Organizing Committee, Yao Lijun, Director of Qujiang New District Management Committee and Deputy Secretary-General of the Organizing Committee, as well as Wu Jianbin, Executive Vice President of Yan Go Group attended the opening ceremony of marathon, and jointly fired guns for the activity.

The 2018 Xi'an ( Yan Go Group ) International Marathon is jointly sponsored by Chinese Athletics Association, Shaanxi Sports Bureau, and Xi'an Municipal People's Government, and undertook by Shaanxi Athletic Association, Xi'an Sports Bureau, Xi'an Qu Jiang New District Management Committee and Xi'an Tourism Development Committee.CCTV sports events channel broadcast the whole live broadcast.

Finally, after the intense competition, the Ethiopian contestant LIYEWSHENGOKEBEDE won the men's team championship in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 40 seconds, the Moroccan contestant IMGHARENELYAZID won the men's team runner-up in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 47 seconds, and the Ethiopian contestant TEFERAGOSAGIRMA won the men's team in 2 hours, 16 minutes and 59 seconds.

Bayartsogtmunkhzaya from Mongolia won the women's all-round championship in 2 hours, 31 minutes and 01 seconds, GETISOTSEHAYGEBRE from Ethiopia won the women's runner-up in 2 hours, 31 minutes and 34 seconds, and  Chen Linming from China won the women's all-round runner-up in 2 hours, 40 minutes and 36 seconds, as well as the domestic women's all-round group, the first.

The champion of men's and women's half marathons both came from Ethiopia. They were won by MULGETABIRHANUFEYISSA in 1 hour, 06 minutes and 26 seconds, and by NEGASA GADISEGUDISA in 1 hour, 16 minutes and 05 seconds.

Blue was used as the main color for this marathon. Both competitors and volunteers are also dressed in blue clothes. Running participants are like flowing brushes, adding a strong "blue" to the autumn streets of Xi'an, so that the whole city can see Xi'an blue. As millions of citizens took to the streets to cheer for the contestants, the blue enthusiasm of the marathon also exploded Xi'an's circle of friends.

2018 is the second year to hold the Xi'an International Marathon. The number of the participants are increased by 10,000, and the number of applicants nearly doubled compared with last year, fully demonstrating the international influence of the Xi'an International Marathon.

On the basis of last year, Xi'an Hi-tech Industries Development Zone has been added to this year's marathon in order to go cross the Millennium grand scenery of Xi'an, to publicize the city's characteristics of classical and fashionable, traditional and modern Xi'an, to show the historical charm of landmark buildings and ancient ruins in Xi'an, and to highlight Xi'an's science and technology. The modern city style of ecology and culture and the spirit of "catching up with transcendence" are showed in this marathon.

Last year, a total of 9 cultural filling stations were set up at the starting point, along the line and terminal point of the marathon race road. This year, the number of cultural stations has increased to 23. The performances in the cultural stations not only introduce more traditional cultural elements, but also show the modern and international elements such as African hand drums, shaking music and hot dance, rock and roll rap.