Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon
| Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon | |
|---|---|
The course passes Yangzhou's Wenchang Pavilion | |
| Date | April |
| Location | Yangzhou, China |
| Event type | road |
| Distance | Half marathon |
| Established | 2006 |
| Course records | Men's: 59:31 (2025) Alex Nzioka Matata Women's: 1:07:05 (2025) Catherine Amanang'ole |
| Official site | https://www.yzmls.com |
The Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon (Chinese: 扬州鉴真国际半程马拉松赛) is an annual road running competition over the half marathon distance 21.0975 kilometres (13.1094 mi) which takes place in April in Yangzhou, People's Republic of China.
The event is named in honour of Jianzhen, a Chinese monk from the city who propagated Buddhism in Japan in the 8th century.[1] The event was first held in 2006 and grew exponentially in its first six years: it gained IAAF Silver Label Road Race status in 2010 and began to attract elite and amateur runners alike.[2] Almost 3000 runners finished the half marathon in 2011,[3] while the introduction of a 10K fun run that year saw 25,000 runners take part in the day's event. The race is predominantly Chinese, although 230 foreign athletes were present in 2011.[4] East African athletes typically occupy the higher places in the elite races.[5]
The very flat, point-to-point course is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races.[6] The city-centre course begins and ends at the Stadium of Yangzhou Sport Center and passes many of the city's landmarks, including the Wenchang Pavilion, Daming Temple and the Yangzhou Museum.[7]
The current men's course record is 00:59:31 by Alex Nzioka Matata in 2025. The women's course record is 1:07:05 by Catherine Amanang'ole in 2025. [8]
Past winners
Key: Course record
| Edition | Date | Men's winner | Time (h:m:s) | Women's winner | Time (h:m:s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 27 May 2006 | Li Rongtian (CHN) | 1:05:53 | Ruth Wanjiru (KEN) | 1:13:42 |
| 2nd | 28 Apr 2007 | Cheng Tao (CHN) | 1:03:23 | Zhu Xiaolin (CHN) | 1:13:25 |
| 3rd | 06 Apr 2008 | Zhao Ran (CHN) | 1:02:57 | Zhou Chunxiu (CHN) | 1:08:59 |
| 4th | 26 Apr 2009 | John Musyoki (KEN) | 1:02:00 | Zhang Yingying (CHN) | 1:11:01 |
| 5th | 25 Apr 2010 | Ahmed Baday (MAR) | 1:01:48 | Nina Rillstone (NZL) | 1:11:18 |
| 6th | 24 Apr 2011 | Deriba Merga (ETH) | 1:01:10 | Mare Dibaba (ETH) | 1:09:41 |
| 7th | 29 Apr 2012 | Ayele Abshero (ETH) | 1:01:11 | Philes Ongori (KEN) | 1:11:07 |
| 8th | 21 Apr 2013[9] | Yacob Jarso (ETH) | 1:00:39 | Worknesh Degefa (ETH) | 1:08:43 |
| 9th | 20 Apr 2014[10] | Nguse Tesfaldet (ERI) | 1:00:08 | Gladys Cherono (KEN) | 1:08:16 |
| 10th | 19 Apr 2015 | Mosinet Geremew (ETH) | 59:52 | Flomena Cheyech (KEN) | 1:08:36 |
| 11th | 24 Apr 2016[11] | Mosinet Geremew (ETH) | 1:00:43 | Peres Jepchirchir (KEN) | 1:07:21 |
| 12th | 23 Apr 2017 | Mosinet Geremew (ETH) | 1:00:56 | Sutume Asefa (ETH) | 1:10:30 |
| 13th | 22 Apr 2018 | Mosinet Geremew (ETH) | 1:01:31 | Ababel Yeshaneh (ETH) | 1:09:06 |
| 14th | 21 Apr 2019 | Berehanu Tsegu (ETH) | 59:56 | Perine Nengampi (KEN) | 1:08:04 |
| 15th | 8 Nov 2020 (cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic)[12] | ||||
| 16th | 7 Nov 2021 (cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic)[13] | ||||
| 17th | 3 Nov 2022 (cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic)[14] | ||||
| 18th | 16 Apr 2023[15] | Gerba Dibaba (ETH) | 1:00:51 | Beyenu Degefa (ETH) | 1:09:54 |
| 19th | 31 Mar 2024[16] | Edward Konana Koonyo (KEN) | 1:00:07 | Maurine Jemutai (KEN) | 1:07:19 |
| 20th | 30 Mar 2025[8] | Alex Nzioka Matata (KEN) | 59:31 | Catherine Amanang'ole (KEN) | 1:07:05 |
See also
References
- ^ Cross, Brian (2010-04-24). Nina Rillstone of New Zealand Wins Half Marathon in China. Suite 101. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ^ Jalava, Mirko (2011-04-25). Merga and Dibaba sweep for Ethiopia in Yangzhou. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ^ 2011 Half Marathon results. YZMLS. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ^ Sun Xiaochen (2011-04-25). Ethiopians dominate Yangzhou race. China Daily. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ^ Jalava, Mirko (2012-04-30). Abshero and Ongori take Half Marathon victories in Yangzhou. IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-05-03.
- ^ International Measurement Certificate. YZMLS. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ^ 2009 Yangzhou China Jianzhen International Half-Marathon 第四屆中國揚州鑒真國際馬拉松(半程) Archived 2015-04-02 at the Wayback Machine. Hong Kong Runners. Retrieved on 2011-04-29.
- ^ a b Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon Yangzhou (CHN) 30 MAR 2025. World Athletics (IAAF). Retrieved on 2025-12-30.
- ^ Jalava, Mirko (2013-04-21). Ethiopian double in Yangzhou. IAAF. Retrieved on 2013-04-22.
- ^ Course records smashed in Yangzhou Archived 2014-04-21 at the Wayback Machine World Running, 20 April 2014
- ^ Wu, Vincent (2016-04-24). World champion Jepchirchir sets course record at Yangzhou Half Marathon. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-04-24.
- ^ Originally scheduled on 12 April but delayed due to COVID-19 pandemic
- ^ event was cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
- ^ World Athletics Half Marathon Championships Yangzhou 22 has been cancelled. World Athletics (IAAF). Retrieved on 2025-12-30.
- ^ Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon Yangzhou (CHN) 16 APR 2023. World Athletics (IAAF). Retrieved on 2025-12-30.
- ^ Yangzhou Jianzhen Half Marathon Yangzhou (CHN) 31 MAR 2024. World Athletics (IAAF). Retrieved on 2025-12-30.