Runners in the 2017 Guangzhou Marathon will set off on Dec 10, and pound the pavement around the city's many famous scenic sites.

Hosted by Chinese Athletic Association (CAA) and the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, the Guangzhou Marathon is an annual international sports event in Guangzhou.

It is approved by General Administration of Sport of China, Guangdong Province People's Government and Guangzhou Municipal People's Government and is a high level marathon event that forms part of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and CAA calendar. 

Runners skirt the Pearl River during the 2016 Guangzhou Marathon. [Photo/guangzhou-marathon.com]

From 2014 to 2016, the Guangzhou Marathon was recognized as the CAA's Gold Medal Race. In 2017, the event has been upgraded as an IAAF Silver Label Road Race, just a year after it was awarded as an IAAF Bronze Label Road Race for the first time.

Themed as "Renowned City, Harmony and Health", the Guangzhou Marathon combines the charm of competition and the idea of national fitness. It has become a glamorous city name card for Guangzhou, helping to promote the Guangzhou Asian Games spirit and to develop national fitness and promoting healthy lifestyles.

The event also enhances the visibility and influence of the city, displaying its great economic and social achievements.

The course of Guangzhou Marathon has been set alongside the Pearl River. It showcases unique Lingnan culture, the most time-honored scenic spots and the most stylish cultural trends. Every year, marathon fans line the streets to show their support as well as taking part. 

According to the organizers, more than 71,000 people applied for the event this year, with 30,000 selected to take part. Different from previous events, the 2017 Guangzhou Marathon will consist of only two events, a full marathon and half marathon.

The traffic department of Guangzhou has announced that a total of 165 bus routes including No 1, No 12 and No 24 will temporally change to ensure that the event proceeds smoothly and that residents can visit www.gzjt.gov.cn to check further details on bus information. 

All runners will receive medals for taking part in the 2017 Guangzhou Marathon. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com]