Beijing Marathon back after two years

After two years in the cold due to the Coronavirus epidemic, the Beijing Marathon 2022 got underway on Sunday morning as runners set off from Tian'anmen Square and headed for the Olympic Park. 

Chinese runner Anubaike Kuwan won the men's title in 2:14:34, while compatriot Xia Yuyu topped the podium in the women's race with 2:28:57.

"I'm honored to win the title at the 40th anniversary of Beijing Marathon. It feels good to be competing again. It will be an unforgettable memory for me running in this beautiful season in Beijing. Thank you to all who cheered me on along the road," Anubaike wrote on Weibo, China's Twitter-like social media platform, after the race. 

Featuring some 20,000 runners, this year's Beijing Marathon has an adjusted route over the final 4 kilometers, but the remainder is the same as in 2019. 

Established in 1981, the event was canceled over the last two years due to the coronavirus.