Right line
As a starting gun let out a crisp bang at 8 am on Nov 2, the 13th "Huaneng Cup" 2025 Yangzhou Gaoyou Grand Canal Half Marathon kicked off in Gaoyou, a county-level city in Yangzhou.
Runners take off from the starting line of the 13th "Huaneng Cup" 2025 Yangzhou Gaoyou Grand Canal Half Marathon on Nov 2. [Photo/yznews.cn]
More than a sports competition, the marathon was an effort to shine a spotlight on Gaoyou, a dazzling pearl along the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal.
A total of 3,500 runners embarked on a cultural journey as they traversed the winding course linking the most iconic vistas in Gaoyou.
Setting off from the Jingtu Temple Pagoda, participants made their way forward along the Grand Canal scenic belt. The Zhenguo Temple Pagoda stood quietly by the riverside, its thousand-year-old visage bathed in the warm morning glow. As they entered the Yucheng Postal Stop, it seemed as if they could still hear the neighing of ancient postal horses.
The competition was electrifying. Kang Haochen took the men's title with a time of 1:08:35 and praised the breathtaking scenery of the canal-side course.
Liu Juan clinched the women's with a time of 1:23:07. "This is the most unique marathon I've ever run. Every step felt steeped in history," she said.
