ULAN BATOR, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The 8th edition of Ulan Bator International Marathon kicked off here on Saturday.
More than 20,000 professional runners and amateurs from 30 countries and regions are competing in several categories, featuring the full marathon, half marathon, family marathon and wheelchair marathon, according to the mayor's press office of the Mongolian capital.
The Ulan Bator International Marathon aims to develop running sports in Mongolia, encourage citizens to run and open up their inner resources and cultivate emotional and physical health education, Dolgorsuren Sumiybazar, mayor of the capital city, said at the opening ceremony of the annual event.
The national capital is closing its main roads to vehicles and open them up to pedestrians and bikers to promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activities on the marathon day. ■
