Kenyan runners win 2024 Shanghai-Zhejiang Rural Half Marathon titles

The 2024 Shanghai-Zhejiang Rural Half Marathon was held on Sunday at Shanghai Langxia Countryside Park in Jinshan district, attracting more than 3,600 runners from 12 countries who participated in two categories, the half marathon of more than 21 km and a 5.6 km health run.

Two contestants from Kenya secured victories in both the men's and women's half marathon which was sponsored by Shanghai Rural Commercial Bank. Wanjiru Harrison Muchira claimed the men's title with a time of 1:03:29, while Mutua Christine Ndanu clinched the first place in the women's race in 1:18:04.

Stretching from Langxia town in Shanghai to Guangchen town in Pinghu city, Zhejiang province, the marathon route meandered through a mixed landscape of parks, farmland and country roads. Participants were able to appreciate the beautiful scenery along the course while racing in the exciting event.

A blend of sports with cultural tourism, the event also included an exhibition fair that showcased a wide variety of special local products, including agricultural products, local delicacies and creative handicrafts in Langxia and Guangchen.

After the race, each first-prize winner was given a cash prize of 10,000 yuan（$1,380）as well as a bale of rice straw harvested from a designated paddy in Langxia town.

According to Fan Yanhong, deputy head of Langxia town, all the rice harvested from the paddy this year will be auctioned for charity and donated to education and poverty alleviation efforts.

"Aligned with the strategy of continuously advancing high-quality integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta region, Langxia has expanded its in-depth collaboration with Guangchen town, forging a synergy of the agriculture, cultural tourism and sports industries. Co-hosting the marathon event for the fourth consecutive year, we aim to intensify our efforts in promoting resource sharing, cultural exchanges, infrastructure construction and public welfare among others," said Li Fang, Party secretary of the town.

Zhang Zile contributed to this story.