Participants pose for pictures at the recent cosplay-themed half-marathon in Xiamen city's Jimei district in Fujian province.[Photo by Yang Feiyue/China Daily]

Xiamen launched a day tour for runners from out of town to experience the city before and after the event.

The city has developed tourism destinations with automobile and animation themes. Plans call for the construction of sports parks.

"We want runners and their families to experience the culture of Jimei and Xiamen through events like these," Jimei's deputy head Huang Ying says.

The district will soon develop two- and three-day travel routes, she says.

About four out of five marathon runners came from outside Jimei.

Many joined because of the costume theme, Huang says.

The district hosts other events like the cross-Straits dragon boat culture festival, a cross-country automobile race and a yacht competition.

"Visitor numbers surge every time we host such events," Huang says.

The district received 10 million visits in 2016, an increase of 35 percent year-on-year.

So, runners??be they tortoises or hares??can start prepping their costumes for next year's cosplay marathon.