Baoding Marathon blends art and ecology for runners

The 2025 Baoding Marathon in Baoding, Hebei province, unveiled an innovative art-ecological track, blending floral artistry with sustainability.

The marathon kicked off at 7:30 am on Sunday with 25,000 runners from 15 countries and regions.

Fifteen themed landscapes along the route showcased Baoding's cultural and ecological evolution, merging history, sports and green living.

The event was hailed as a celebration of sportsmanship and urban vitality. It featured three categories - full marathon, half marathon and a family-friendly Joy Run in the spirit of inclusive fitness.

Participants spanned generations, with the youngest runner in the Joy Run category aged 5 and the eldest marathoner at 77.