The 2024 Shanghai Maqiao International Half Marathon kicked off on Sunday at Qizhong Tennis Center in Minhang district's Maqiao town, attracting 4,000 domestic and foreign runners to participate.

The competition included a half marathon and a healthy run, with nearly 66 percent of runners participating in the half marathon. Runners aged between 30 and 59 accounted for 77 percent of the total participants.

Contestant Zhang Ligang won the men's half marathon championship with a result of 1 hour 10 minutes 37 seconds, while contestant Qin Yingying won the women's championship with 1 hour 20 minutes 50 seconds.

The Shanghai Maqiao International Half Marathon, specially organized for ordinary runners who love running, has been held for seven years and is constantly upgrading its security and supplies.

Three fog cannon trucks were set up on-site to help the runners cool down. Seven ambulances, nine medical first aid stations, and 35 AEDs were arranged along the track in addition to professional volunteers and medical staff.

As the exemplary organization of national mass sports and the national sports industry demonstration base, Maqiao town gives full play to the radiation effect of two major international events - the Rolex Shanghai Masters and Buick LPGA Shanghai- and holds more than 45 national fitness events, such as tennis, running and cycling every year.