Despite low temperatures, over 30,000 people from 46 countries participated in the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon on Dec 9. Runners tested their endurance while enjoying Guangzhou's beautiful early-winter scenery.

Over 30,000 runners compete in the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon on Dec 9. [Photo/chinanews.com]

Hosted by the Chinese Athletic Association (CAA) and the Guangzhou Municipal People's Government, the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon featured two events – the full marathon (42.195 kilometers) and the half marathon (21.0975 kilometers). Nearly two thirds of runners participated in the full marathon. A total of 6,200 volunteers were recruited and 36 medical stations were placed along the course from the Guangzhou Tianhe Sports Center to Huacheng Square.

Two runners from Morocco and Ethiopia were crowned the champions of the men's and women's full marathon events, respectively, with times of 2:10:44 and 2:26:44. Li Zicheng was the fastest Chinese runner with a time of 2:16:36, breaking the record for Chinese runners in Guangzhou marathon events.

Runners dressed in special costumes run the Guangzhou marathon on Dec 9. [Photo/chinanews.com]

This year, the Guangzhou Marathon invited seven celebrities, including Liu Xiang, a Guangzhou-based swimmer who broke the world record for the 50-meter backstroke in the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, to be its publicity ambassadors and raise special funds for charity.

Runners cross the finish line at the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon on Dec 9. [Photo/chinanews.com]