Beijing Marathon kicked off on Sunday morning in the capital city of China after a two-year break.

The event has been held annually since 1981, and has become a symbolic event for marathon enthusiasts. However, it was canceled over the last two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A total of 20,000 runners set off from Tian'anmen Square and the finishing line was at the Olympic Park, one of the main venues of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

China's Anubaike Kuwan won the men's race in two hours 14 minutes and 34 seconds, while his compatriot Xia Yuyu claimed the women's title in 2:28:57.

It was the seventh time for China to win the men's race of the Beijing Marathon. Kuwan stood out from the leading group after the 30-kilometer mark and kept the advantage till the end. Yang Chunlong finished second in 2:19:11, and He Jie pocketed the bronze in 2:21:26.

In the women's race, non-seeded runner Xia from Tsinghua University, who took the lead after 35 kilometers, emerged as a dark horse and refreshed her personal best to win the race. Li Yingmei got the sliver in 2:30:44 and Wang Min finished third in 2:33:05.

Xinhua contributed to this story.