AsiaNet 201935

DONGYING, China, Oct. 21, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/--

On Oct. 18, the 2026 China Wanda · Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) Marathon & "Lucky Shandong" Provincial Marathon League (Dongying Leg) took place in Dongying City, Shandong Province, with a total of approximately 30,000 participants.

After an autumn rain, the city was greeted by crisp, refreshing air. At 7:30 a.m., as the starting gun fired, runners surged across the starting line and followed a route through the city's main roads and parks. The course offered runners a glimpse of the city's distinctive ecological landscape. Along the route, enthusiastic crowds cheered on participants, while performances at 50 locations added to the festive atmosphere.

The Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) Marathon is one of 25 World Athletics Gold Label road races worldwide and one of nine in China. It is the only event of its kind in Shandong Province and is also a Class A event certified by the Chinese Athletics Association. Since its launch in 2008, the marathon has grown into an important platform for promoting public fitness, showcasing the city and integrating culture, sports and tourism. Compared with previous years, this year's marathon featured more professional organization, fiercer competition, broader reach, improved services, and a wider range of related activities. The event attracted 78 international runners from 17 countries, with the share of participants from outside Shandong Province and outside Dongying increasing by 25.9% and 52.4% year on year, respectively.

In recent years, Dongying's sports economy has been booming, led by international events such as the Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) Marathon, the Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) International Road Cycling Race, and the "Yellow River Estuary Cup" Shandong International Pickleball Open. National-level competitions, including auto off-road racing and dragon boat racing, are complemented by distinctive local events such as air volleyball, finger flicking ball, rouli ball, and equestrian sports. The city hosts over 200 sporting events each year with at least 500 participants each, generating over 1 billion yuan in spending on accommodation, dining, and retail.

Photo Caption: 2026 China Wanda · Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) Marathon & "Lucky Shandong" Provincial Marathon League (Dongying Leg)

Source: Information Office of Dongying Municipal People's Government