The Xuzhou Marathon 2023 starts in east China's city of Xuzhou on Nov. 5, 2023. (Organizers/Handout vis Xinhua)
XUZHOU, China, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Ethiopia's Melka Deribe Robi won the 2023 Xuzhou Marathon men's race in two hours, 14 minutes and 23 seconds here on Sunday.
Melka Deribe Robi (Front R) of Ethiopia wins the Xuzhou Marathon men's race in Xuzhou, on Nov. 5, 2023. (Organizers/Handout via Xinhua)
Derartu Hailu Gerefa, also from Ethiopia, took the women's title in 2:27:47, refreshing the course's previous record of 2:29:11.
Derartu Hailu Gerefa of Ethiopia wins the Xuzhou Marathon women's race on Nov. 5, 2023. (Organizers/Handout via Xinhua)
China's Ma Meng was crowned in the men's half-marathon in 1:08:53, and Chebet Brenda of Kenya finished first in the women's half-marathon in 1:15:05.
Xuzhou Marathon runners pass through a scenic area on Nov. 5, 2023. (Organizers/Handout via Xinhua)
Debuting in 2017, the Xuzhou Marathon features the city's background of "lakes and mountains". The racetrack is designed around Yunlong Lake and Dalong Lake. The runners passed through Mount Taishan Scenic Area, China's University of Mining and Technology, Huaihai Cultural Expo Park, Kunlun Avenue, Dalong Lake Scenic Area and other urban scenic spots.
The 2023 edition attracted more than 30,000 runners. ■
