Runners compete in the 2023 Yangquan Niangzi Pass Female Half Marathon in Yangquan on May 13. [Photo/Yangquan Daily] 

The 2023 Yangquan Niangzi Pass Female Half Marathon took place on May 13 in the city of Yangquan, North China's Shanxi province, attracting 2,900 runners from China and overseas.

The event was sponsored by the Pingding county government, Yangquan sports bureau, and Shanxi Culture and Tourism Investment Holding Group.

The half marathon covered 21.09 kilometers while a shorter mini marathon (5 km) was also staged. Both courses ran across the Niangzi Pass corridor. 

The event integrated local culture, intangible cultural heritage, regional specialties, and rural tourism. 

In the half marathon, 110 pacers and medical runners escorted over 2,500 contestants. 

Hawi Beharu Weirku from Ethiopia won the first place after clocking a time of 1 hour 16 minutes and 30 seconds.

In recent years, Yangquan has continued to innovate and develop its sports offerings, promoting the comprehensive development of public sports and competitive sports. 

The marathon organically combined sports, tourism, and cultural resources to further enhance the popularity and influence of the city.