It was announced that the China High-tech Park International Marathon would begin in the Wuxi Hi-tech district on March 23. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

It was announced that the China High-tech Park International Marathon would begin in the Wuxi Hi-tech district on March 23.

Sponsored by the national magazine Science & Technology Industrial Parks and the administration of the Wuxi Hi-tech district, the 2018 Wuxi High-tech Park Race will be held on May 6, attracting elites from 168 national hi-tech zones from around the nation.

With a theme of technological innovation, the China High-tech Park International Marathon seeks to become a platform for information and new communication and exchange techniques for the high-tech industry.

The Wuxi High-tech district, which houses the national IOT innovation demonstration zone and the national innovation park, will make use of various tech items during the marathon, including timing chips, devices that can detect bacteria on sports towels, heart rate bracelets, and a bag deposit system.

"Parkmi", the mascot of the China High-tech Park International Marathon's first stop. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2018 Wuxi High-tech Park Race allows participants to choose between a half marathon (21.095 km) and a mini marathon (5 km). This allows both professional and amateur runners to take part in the event.

Runners will pass through five high-tech parks, including Wuxi Software Park (iPark), China Sensor Network International Innovation Park, China (Wuxi) University Sensing Network Technology Park, Zhongguancun Software Park, Taihu Sub-Park and Tian’an Intelligent Park.

To ensure an enjoyable experience and the safety of runners, race organizers have restricted the number of entrants to 3,500 this year, with 1,500 places allocated for the half marathon and 2,000 for the mini marathon.

The torch station of the 2018 Wuxi High-tech Park Race will be made by 3D print technology and be kept after the marathon as a Wuxi Hi-tech district landmark.

The China High-tech Park International Marathon will be held in five other cities in China and abroad, including Qiqihaer city in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Baotou in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and even in the birthplace of the marathon—Athens.

Those who wish to take part in the 2018 Wuxi High-tech Park Race can sign up at the official website (http://www.park-marathon.cn/).