The 2018 Mount Tai International Marathon kicks off on April 15. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2018 Mount Tai International Marathon kicked off on April 15, attracting thousands of participants from many countries around the world, such as Russia, America, Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Italy, Albania, Bulgaria, Singapore, Oman, Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Malaysia and Japan.

Paul Kimani Wambui, a participant from Kenya, completes the entire course in 2 hours 25 minutes 19 seconds, winning the marathon. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Paul Kimani Wambui, a participant from Kenya, completed the entire course in 2 hours 25 minutes 19 seconds, winning the marathon.

The marathon has been held every year since 2014. This year’s race has been upgraded, with areas in the city center, such as city square, Leigushi Street, Yingsheng Road and other city roads being included in the course. This allows runners to admire the cityscape during the first half of the marathon, and enjoy natural scenery in the second half.

This year's marathon shares both the glamor of Taian and the beauty of its natural areas with the outside world. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

This year’s marathon is significant as it shares both the glamor of China’s modern cities and the beauty of its natural areas with the outside world.