Runners pass by the Langshan Mountain Scenic Area. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

About 23,000 runners took to the streets of Nantong on Nov 8 for the 2026 Bank of Jiangsu Nantong Marathon, marking the largest turnout in the event's history.

The race began at 7:30 am near the Nantong Grand Theater and Nantong Art Museum, attracting participants from 21 countries and regions, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Singapore.

The event featured a full marathon with 5,000 participants and a half marathon with 18,000. Runners from outside Nantong accounted for 70.3 percent of the participants, with more than 10,000 visitors traveling to the city for the race.

Runners participate in the 2026 Bank of Jiangsu Nantong Marathon. [Photo provided to en.nantong.gov.cn]

Zhu Jialin won the men's full marathon in 2 hours, 23 minutes and 53 seconds, while Lu Yajing took the women's title in 2:40:14. In the half marathon, Gu Yangxu claimed the men's championship in 1:09:15, and Yang Junting won the women's race in 1:20:43.

The course displayed the beauty of Nantong's natural scenery and urban landscape, passing landmarks including Zilang Lake, Nantong Botanical Garden, Langshan Mountain Scenic Area and Yangtze River Sports Park.

Behind the event was a large-scale management team involving multiple municipal departments and more than 4,000 volunteers. Medical personnel, emergency vehicles and aid stations were deployed along the route, while police worked to ensure traffic safety.

For volunteers, the event was also an opportunity to connect with the city. Li Yongrui, a Nantong University student from South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, helped distribute race-day materials to half-marathon finishers as part of a 150-member team. "It has been a rewarding experience, and I've also developed my coordination skills," she said.