Foreign participants speak highly of SZ marathon

Runners during yesterday’s Shenzhen International Marathon.

People cheer for the runners along the route yesterday.

Runners during yesterday’s Shenzhen International Marathon.

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The 2018 Shenzhen International Marathon was held yesterday, attracting loads of avid runners from both home and abroad as usual. Besides our friends from Africa who swept all the full-length race medals, many enthusiastic foreign participants also showed their charm on site and praised the Shenzhen marathon for the staff and services provided.

Naveed Rastegar, who is from the U.S. and currently living in Zhuhai City, told the reporter that he had participated in many marathons before, such as Macao International Marathon and Singapore International Marathon, but loves the Shenzhen marathon more because of its great services.“The road is wider and people are nice and offer help, which is good,” he said.

One participant from the Netherlands, surnamed Bulsink, mentioned the guidance provided by the organizer when asked for his opinion on this year’s marathon.“It’s clear to me, as a foreigner. I know what I should do and where I should go,” he said. He also said that the places along the route that offer drinks for runners are very good services.

Jan Popelka, from the Czech Republic, also participated in the Shenzhen marathon two years ago, just after he first arrived in Shenzhen. He told the reporter that he was very satisfied with this year’s marathon and would continue next year if he had the chance. The route of the race is very familiar to him as he always runs between Shekou and Futian for practice.“It’s somehow like running at home and it’s my trail, so I am definitely very happy,” he said.

Regarding the services, Popelka said that everything was fabulous except for the start.“In many international marathons, there are different waves so that each one has its own wave. Not everyone starts at once, but people start in waves, which makes the start much easier as you do not have to be first to have the best gun time. Everyone has their own gun time, which not only helps the start to be smoother but also helps the performance,” he suggested.

When asked about the impact of rain during a marathon, everyone said that they actually love the rain because it helps them cool down.“If there is no sun, that is good. Otherwise, it’s more difficult to run. I am happy with the weather,” one foreign participant said.