Two thousand runners from 35 countries and regions gathered in Guangzhou last Saturday for the 12th Canton Tower Run Up, an exhilarating vertical marathon scaling the city’s 600-metre landmark. The event brought together elite athletes and families alike, showcasing Guangzhou’s energetic sports spirit and growing enthusiasm for nationwide fitness ahead of the 15th National Games.

Participants sprinted upward through the tower’s routes, with Wei Yipang winning the men’s title in 15 minutes and 7 seconds, and Yao Liping taking the women’s in 19 minutes and 6 seconds. Among the runners was Max from Australia, who has lived in Guangzhou for eight years. “I think Guangzhou is a city of sports. Running by the riverside is wonderful. I would love to win a medal today,” he said to a Chinese news outlet.

Chinese marathon legend Sun Yinjie presented medals to the finishers, saying to a Chinese news outlet, “With the 15th National Games approaching, I hope events like this inspire people to stay active and healthy.”

Source: China Central Television