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Running Through Modern and Historical Beijing

The 2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon will begin at 8 a.m. on October 21 at Tian’anmen Square.

As in 2006, the marathon includes four main disciplines: the full marathon (42.195 kilometres), half marathon (21.0975 k), 8K and Mini Marathon (4.2 k). This year’s marathon is expected to have 24,000 runners. To ensure the safety of each participant, the organizing committee will provide top-notch first-aid facilities and personal accident insurance for each runner. Also, to provide a better race experience, the organizing committee is committed to strengthening volunteer training and to improving the level of service associated with the ANA Beijing International Marathon.

The press conference for the 2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon was held on August 16 at the press hall of the State Sports General Administration of China (GSA). Representatives from the Chinese Athletic Association (CAA); the title sponsors, ANA; Octagon, an international sports marketing firm; and other event sponsors participated.

Sanctioned by the International Association of Federations (IAAF), the ANA Beijing international Marathon is also approved by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Race (AIMS). It is one of the highest-level marathons in the world and has also become one of the most popular running races in Beijing. Each year, the marathon attracts a large number of international marathon enthusiasts and generates media attention from all over the world.

Registration for the 2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon has already begun. Runners may register individually or with a group and may also conveniently register online or in person at any of the official marathon registration sites. The organizing committee will invite elite-level runners from across to world to participate, raising the competition level while enhancing the ANA Beijing International Marathon as a world-class running event and a key race before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Marathon organizers announced the participation of blind marathon runner and Paralympics world record holder in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres Henry Wanyoike of Kenya in this year’s marathon. Wanyoike will run with a group of students from Beijing’s School for the Blind. Their feat is expected to highlight the ANA Beijing International Marathon as a humanitarian triumph and as proof of what the human spirit is capable of achieving.

The marathon organizing committee also announced several new programmes that will serve to enhance each runner’s experience and build on the overall reputation of the ANA Beijing International Marathon. In keeping with the Olympic theme “Sports for All, Towards the Olympics,” this year’s marathon will feature several sports-related activities at the National Olympic Sports Center (the full marathon finish area): fun games that test an individual’s sports ability; a food festival offering a “Taste of Beijing” and emphasizing “balanced meals and healthy eating;” a kid’s run to encourage children and their parents to exercise together, and live music performed by talented Beijingers. The organizing committee hopes that such activities will showcase Beijing’s energy and charm; and also attract citizens from around the city to come out on marathon day and celebrate Beijing.

Also new to the marathon programme this year is the addition of the ANA Beijing International Marathon’s “Moving with Beijing” Photo Contest. Beijing citizens and marathon enthusiasts can now be a part of the marathon without having to run one kilometre! They can submit photos of how they interpret Beijing’s movement as well as photos from past marathons and win great contest prizes. All contest entries can be submitted through the official event Web site.

This year’s marathon also aims to develop a stronger partnership with one of China’s major charitable causes. Promoting safety and aiming to give back to greater China, the event organizers announced the first-ever ANA Beijing International Marathon charity partnership with the Red Cross Society of China. Marathon organizers plan to contribute to disaster relief funds in areas around China that have been severely affected by flooding. A portion of each registration fee, proceeds from marathon merchandise sales and corporate contributions will be donated to this charitable cause.

The 2007 ANA Beijing International Marathon would not be possible without the support of its corporate event sponsors including the title sponsor, ANA; gold sponsors: Swatch, Canon, Dongfeng Honda, and official sponsors: Nike, Pocari, China Life, and Hengyuanxiang.

As the key themes of this year’s marathon are “Sports for All, Towards the Olympics” and “Running Through Modern and Historical Beijing,” the marathon organizing committee enthusiastically invites their worldwide friends to visit and get to know the city of Beijing.