On 1 December, Kunming, China, hosted the annual SCO International Marathon, held since 2016.
The 2019 event involved almost 20,000 people, including professional track and field athletes and amateurs from 33 countries including India, Kazakhstan, the People’s Republic of China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Mongolia, Nepal, Turkey, Australia, Italy, Canada, Kenya, Lesotho, Mexico, Poland, Serbia, Singapore, the United States, Thailand, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, the Philippines, France, Germany, Ethiopia and Japan.
The SCO Kunming International Marathon has firmly asserted itself as an important event in the SCO countries’ cultural life that is used to promote and consolidate the unifying essence of sport.
“Most importantly, the Kunming Marathon involves everyone, including young people, senior citizens and people with limited abilities. It reflects the open nature of our organisation. All SCO member states are equal, regardless of their economic or political potential, population or area. The SCO promotes important principles for constructive international cooperation, mutual respect, mutual trust, tolerance for cultural diversity and a striving for joint development all over the world,” SCO Secretary-General Vladimir Norov said.
This year, Ethiopian track and field athlete Dereje Debele Tulu won the men’s race, covering the 42,195 metre distance in 2:13:18. Ethiopia’s Mulu Seboka Seyfu outraced all other women, clocking in at 2:32:54, both smashing the competition’s records.