2015 has seen the gaining popularity of marathon competitions in China. (Photo : China.org.cn)
China has been swept by "marathon fever" as around 75,000 runners have participated in various competitions in six cities kicking off on Nov. 8.
As the marathon continues to gain popularity in China, the sector is also drawing immense business opportunities.
According to the 2015 Shanghai International Marathon organizers, they have set to have 35,000 runners. However, more than 100,000 had applied and they had to draw lots to decide who will be the participants.
Beijing Bird's Nest Half Marathon, which also commenced on Sunday, shared the same experience.
Zhang Zhenpeng, the person in charge of the event, said that he did not expect that participants will soon fill up the area.
"We opened 8,000 placements and predicted these might be filled in half a month. However, runners were so enthusiastic that all placements were filled at night since the application began at nine o'clock. Just in one day. During the day, there were two system crashes because of the huge visitor volume," Zhang revealed.
The marathon fever is backed up with official data from the Chinese Athletic Association. Since 2011, the number of Chinese marathon competitions has increased from 22 to over 120 this year.
The association predicts that more than 200 competitions will be held in 2016.
Additionally, the increasing statistic has helped local governments gain more revenue, according to Zhang Yongliang, the director of the Marathon Office of the Athletics Administrative Center of China's General Administration of Sport.
"For example, marathon competitions in Xiamen City have brought 230 million yuan in revenue each year," Zhang said. "However, it is far behind the Tokyo marathon which earns about 2 billion yuan each year."
Zhang added: "But many cities have realized that marathon competitions can promote tourism. For example, the city of Hengshui held the first marathon on Sept. 23, 2012, boosting the city's tourist revenue by 300 percent."
