(CFP file photo)

The 2023 Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon will take place on April 16, held concurrently with the Grand Canal Marathon (Yangzhou Station).

The half marathon, now in its 14th edition, has kept the title of "IAAF Gold Label Race" and been a gold medal event of the Chinese Athletics Association for eight years.

Being cancelled for three consecutive years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the race this year will take a new route, which will highlight the city's cultural heritage and landscapes associated with the Grand Canal, the longest and oldest canal in the world.

Participants will run across the city's scenic belt, the Slender West Lake, Daming Temple, and other tourist attractions to end at the Sanwan Park, where they will have a good view of the China Grand Canal Museum, a new landmark of Yangzhou.

The program will have 20,000 runners this year and will include the half marathon and half marathon for citizens, with the mini marathon event being cancelled. Registration will start at 10:00 am on March 8.

Yangzhou will also upgrade medical services and health guidelines for runners, including health monitoring before the race.