2025 Taizhou Marathon highlights city's energy, culture, and innovation

Participants in the 2025 Taizhou Marathon set out from the starting line. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfabu]

The 2025 Taizhou Marathon concluded on Oct 19, with more than 10,000 runners from across the country racing through the city.

Runners wait at the starting line of the Taizhou Marathon. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfabu]

The event featured two categories: a full marathon and a half marathon, with a total of 13,000 participants — 3,000 in the full marathon and 10,000 in the half. The 42.195-kilometer course started and finished at Taizhou Sports Park, linking many of the city's landmarks such as Tiande Lake Park, Meiyuan Garden, Fengcheng River, and Guangxiao Temple. Along the route, runners experienced the unique charm of Taizhou — an ancient city where history, culture, and modern vitality come together.

After fierce competition, Li Zhengyue from Fujian claimed the men's marathon title with a time of 2:17:26, while Zhong Jiameng from Jiangxi won the women's race in 2:38:58, both setting new event records.

The marathon also showcased Taizhou's deep cultural roots in traditional opera. Performances such as the Peking Opera classic Farewell My Concubine and the Peking Opera-inspired cheerleading show Taking Command were staged along the route and at the start and finish areas. The finisher medal design drew inspiration from the iconic phoenix coronet worn by legendary opera master Mei Lanfang, adding a distinct artistic touch.

Over 10,000 people participate in the 2025 Taizhou Marathon. [Photo/WeChat account: tzfabu]

Technology also played a key role in the event. Supported by 5G high-speed networks and HD cameras placed along the course, an AI-powered tracking system captured every step the runners took. After the race, each participant received not only high-quality photos but also a personalized video automatically generated by AI.