TAIYUAN, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- As the starting gun went off, the Tianjin Marathon 2026 got underway on Sunday. Among the runners was Japanese running enthusiast Himiko Izumi, who once again embarked on a marathon tourism journey in a new Chinese city.
"Running is just an excuse. Traveling is actually more important," Izumi said.
Based in Beijing, Izumi enjoys taking part in marathons in different parts of China in her spare time. During her trip to the Taiyuan Marathon late September, she visited the Shanxi Museum to see an exhibition she had long wanted to explore. This time, she traveled to Tianjin to combine the marathon with sightseeing.
"Every time I compete in a different city, I get to see different scenery," she said. In Baotou, she explored the vast grasslands and local museums. During the Marathon around Chagan Lake, she also cycled along the lakeshore.
In recent months, mass-participation sporting events, including marathons and trail-running races, have been held across China. An increasing number of foreign participants are combining competition with travel, discovering the vitality of Chinese cities and their cultural appeal along the way.
According to data provided by the organizing committee of the Taiyuan Marathon 2026, nearly 100 foreign runners from 12 countries and regions took part in this year's event, with the number increasing year by year.
At the Shanghai Marathon 2025, foreign runners accounted for more than 13 percent of participants. The number of international participants rose from 32 in 2024 to 585 in 2025, covering 26 countries and regions.
In Shanxi, marathons have also become a way for international students to venture beyond campus and gain a deeper understanding of local customs and culture.
In September, 18 students from Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Yemen and Vietnam participated in a 10km running event in Shanxi's Anze County.
"Taking part in a marathon is more like a group trip for us. Before the race, we also visited other places to explore new cultures and heritage sites and meet new people. These experiences are just as important as the competition itself," said Pakistani student Bilal Ahmad.
The experience extended well beyond the racecourse. During their visit, the students explored the Xunzi Cultural Park, attended a Mid-Autumn Festival concert, watched performances of Puzhou Opera and visited many historical scenic spots.
Cheng Minduo, a professor at the School of Physical Education at Shanxi University, said the growing variety of mass-participation sporting events and improvements in their organization were making them important gateways for foreigners to understand and experience China.
Unlike professional athletes, amateur runners often participate not only to challenge themselves and improve their fitness, but also to explore their host cities and experience local culture.
Zhang Xinda, executive chairman of the Linfen Athletics Association, attributed the growing enthusiasm among foreigners for participating in sporting events in China to improvements in event services, efforts by local governments to integrate sports, culture and tourism, and increasingly convenient arrangements for foreign visitors to China.
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