The Optics Valley Marathon, hosted by the East Lake High-tech Development Zone, is recognized as the most technology-enhanced sports event of 2023 by the China Athletics Association on March 22. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

The Optics Valley Marathon, hosted by the East Lake High-tech Development Zone (also known as Optics Valley of China, or OVC) in Wuhan, Central China's Hubei province, was recently honored by the China Athletics Association as the most technology-enhanced sports event of 2023.

The 2023 OVC Marathon, under the theme "technology and innovation", represents both a sports extravaganza for tech professionals and a relay race for innovators and entrepreneurs.

This marathon sets up 35 relay runner formations along a 42.195-kilometer track. The route passes through prominent city landmarks such as Optics ValleySquare, the OVC Tennis Center, the OVC Central Ecological Corridor, and the Wuhan New Energy Institute.

This event gained this title by introducing an artificial intelligence assistant, utilizing AI technology to provide 24-hour answer services to citizens and runners for their race-related inquiries.

In 2018, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the OVC, and to promote and carry forward OVC culture, the OVC Half Marathon made its debut. The event included races such as a half-marathon, a health run, and a corporate relay event.

In 2020, the OVC Half Marathon was awarded the title of China's bronze medal marathon event for its high-level and high-standard organization. In 2023, the event was upgraded to include a full marathon event as well.

Runners during the 2023 OVC Marathon. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]