The 2017 Beverly Round Lihu Lake International Half Marathon gets started in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Nov 19. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Despite a biting breeze, more than 10,000 runners were soaked with sweat and beaming with vigor as they took part in the 2017 Beverly Round Lihu Lake International Half Marathon in Wuxi, Jiangsu province, on Nov 19.

Among the jostling crowd on the start line were elite runners and keen amateurs, some running to beat their best time, while others came dressed as animals and cartoon characters. Others simply came to enjoy the beautiful route snaking around the East China city's lakeside landmarks.

The starting gun cut through the biting morning air at Wuxi New Sports Center at 7:30 am, setting off a surge toward Lihu Park, where the runners passed through Changguangxi Wetland Park, Turtle Head Isle, and finally ended at the prestigious Jiangnan University.

Some 200 runners from 35 countries and regions including the US, the UK, France and Australia also joined the crowd of runners.