Marathon Showcases Rushan as Premier Coastal Wellness Destination

WEIHAI, China, May 21, 2026 /Xinhua-AsiaNet/–

On May 17, the “Good Luck Shandong” Jinzhou Mining 2026 Rushan Half Marathon kicked off in Rushan Binhai New Area. A total of 5,000 runners from around the world gathered along the famed Silver Beach shoreline, challenging themselves on a scenic coastal course while immersing in the vibrant energy and livable charm of Rushan, a city known as the “City of Maternal Love.”

Unlike previous editions, this year’s half-marathon route featured a major upgrade. Starting from the Thumb Square of the Silver Beach Tourist Resort, runners headed east along Changjiang Road, turned back at the Xuyin intersection, passed through the campus of Shandong Vocational University of Foreign Affairs, and finally returned to Thumb Square. The entire course embraced the stunning landscape of the National 4A-level Silver Beach Tourist Resort, where blue seas, silver sands and green coastal trails meet. For the first time, the route extended into a university campus, creating a unique blend of coastal landscapes and academic atmosphere. Runners enjoyed both the beauty of the sea and the youthful energy of campus life, making the race experience more immersive and memorable.

After fierce competition, Ding Hao claimed the men’s title with a time of 1 hour 6 minutes, shattering the previous course record of 1:09:24. Wu Zhenglin took silver in 1:06:31, and Zhang Xinqi finished third in 1:07:00. In the women’s category, Pan Hong won gold in 1:16:15, also breaking the old record of 1:17:30. Xun Nayun earned silver in 1:20:16, and He Zhaoxiang took bronze in 1:21:33.

As one of Shandong Province’s most prestigious marathon events, the Rushan Half Marathon has been successfully held for seven editions since its inception in 2018. Evolving from Shandong’s first women-only half marathon, it has grown into a high-quality, inclusive race combining professional competition, public participation, cultural tourism, and public welfare. The race has become a key platform for promoting Rushan’s coastal tourism and wellness brand while boosting the integration of sports, fitness and cultural tourism.

Source: Information Office of Rushan Municipal People’s Government