2024 Changsha Marathon: A Decade of Growth, Sports Innovation, and Economic Boost in Chu-Han City

On October 20, the 2024 Changsha Marathon ended. Changsha is a famous Chu-Han city with a history of thousands of years. Ten years of “long horse” leading national fitness

Since its birth in 2015, “Changma” has successfully held seven offline races and three online races, attracting more than 400,000 runners at home and abroad to participate, becoming a card bright industry that displays the image of Changsha.

The decade of “Changma” is also the decade of rapid development of Changsha’s sports industry. Led by the “Changma”, road running events of various sizes continue to appear in Changsha, such as Xiangjiang Marathon, Changsha-Zhuzhou-Rongcheng Half Marathon, Red Island Red Island Half Marathon, Changsha Rural Sports Field… It will give citizens more opportunities to exercise and a platform to showcase it, renewing the national fitness atmosphere. Changsha City will also actively focus on developing the national fitness public service system and building a diversified national fitness development pattern, making national fitness a common practice. In March this year, Changsha became the only city or state in Hunan to be shortlisted for the second batch of national sports and fitness model cities (region), giving great strength into Changsha’s national fitness development.

The “Long Marathon” has grown from 15,000 participants in the first edition to the current marathon event of 30,000 participants, and its scale continues to expand. “Long Horse” was awarded a bronze medal event by the Chinese Athletics Association in 2015, and was upgraded to a gold medal event in 2017. Last year, it was upgraded to a “double gold event” by the Chinese Athletics Association and World Track and Field Road Run.

Interesting events highlight the town’s charm

This year’s “Long Marathon” starts at the same time as the National Half Marathon Championship (the fourth stop), allowing the citizens of Changsha to witness the amazing performances of more high-level athletes at their doorstep they have The number of participants in the full marathon and fun run events has increased by 3,000 and 1,000 respectively, allowing more runners to take part.

Taking the opportunity of the 10th anniversary of the “Changsha Marathon”, the organizing committee launched a series of activities for the 10th anniversary of the Changsha Marathon, “Ten Years of Running on Both Sides of the Yangtze River and Cross-Strait “- a collection of memories related to the ten years of the “Changsha Marathon” and organizing the “Changsha Marathon” “The breakfast run, the night of the 10th anniversary of the “Long Horse” on both sides of the Yangtze River, etc. , various activities immersing the runners in the warm atmosphere of the “Long Horse”.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the “Chang Ma”, the organizing committee carefully designed key visual posters, medals and clothes. The shape of the coin consists of 10 “flame” shapes circling towards the center, and the special commemorative “10th Anniversary” logo in the center of the obverse shines brightly. The “flame” on the top of the back has an easily removable magnet, so runners can engrave their names on it. The specially designed medals made everyone fall in love with them, and the runners immediately took pictures after receiving the medals.

The route of this year’s “Long Marathon” event is still based on the “Two banks of the river, mountains and rivers”. Belt, Juzizhou Scenic Area, Xian Changsha city landmarks and highlight areas such as Jiahu Scenic Area, Yuelu Mountain Scenic Area, and Yanghu District fully reflect the rapid development of beautiful Changsha and the red heritage of the great city of men.

Integrated development helps cities thrive economically

At the Marathon Expo before the race, the “Chang Ma” booth reviewed the changes of the past ten years in the form of pictures saying “Thank you for the ten years of Chang Ma”.

From the perspective of track design, the “Changma” has been fully reflecting the characteristics of Changsha with its unique track for ten years. While focusing on the features of the city of great people, the cultural features of Hunan, and the features of a famous city on the Internet, the “Changma” route has become more professional year by year and has been recognized by more and more runners have also contributed to the “famous Internet city” of Changsha.

150,000 runners from 22 countries and regions have registered for the 2024 Changsha Marathon, setting a new high in the registration history. The ratio of registrants from inside and outside Hunan Province is 3 to 7. Many runners from outside come not only for the “Changsha” , but also for the charm of Changsha.

Facing many out-of-town runners, the “Chang Marathon” organizing committee provides food discount coupons, hotel discounts and other benefits to all applicants, and they hold a marathon expo with the event as its heart, it will greatly integrate sports, culture, food, and tourism to drive Improve the economic benefits of the upstream and downstream industries. According to the latest published statistics, the direct economic impact of the 2023 Changsha Marathon reached 239 million yuan, and the economic benefit to the upstream and downstream industries related to sports tourism in Changsha City was about 453 million yuan . Comprehensive direct economy and driven economy, the comprehensive economic impact of Changsha Marathon 2023 on Changsha City is 692 million yuan.

Ten years of “growing up”, one step at a time, one step at a time, has seen this city blossom. “Changma” is like a bright pearl, brightening the way forward for Changsha’s sports industry, showing the city’s charm, and helping the city’s economy to take off. In the future, “Changma” will continue to write glorious chapters and bring more happiness and glory to the city of Changsha.

(Reporter Wang Hui)

Editor: Lu Qiuping

Examiner: Dong An