Yangzhou Jianzhen International Half Marathon

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.

The event was first held in 2006 and grew exponentially in its first six yearsThe race is predominantly Chinese, although 230 foreign athletes were present in 2011. East African athletes typically occupy the higher places in the elite races.The very flat, point-to-point course is certified by the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races. 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.