Running into spring: China's boom in marathon tourism

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  The world is changing fast, but you can learn it at a slower pace.

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  You're listening to Special English.

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  Here's the news.

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  In China, the arrival of spring signals the beginning of what has come to be known as the Supermarathon Weekend,

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  with various marathons taking place nationwide, nearly every weekend.

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  These races, often infused with local flavor,

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  are no longer merely athletic competitions and platforms promoting healthy running culture.

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  They have evolved into a vibrant travel trend, helping heat up local economies.

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  Participants of the Hangzhou Marathon, for instance, can enjoy routes passing the iconic West Lake,

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  while the Chengdu World Heritage Marathon highlights the scenic Dujiang Yan area and features panda motifs.

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  The Wuxi Marathon took place on March 23rd with blooming cherry blossoms and stunning views of the Taihu Lake,

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  China's third largest freshwater lake, as major attractions for the 420,000 participants.

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  Zhang Qian, a runner who traveled 1,500 kilometers from Guangdong Province to participate,

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  said that Wuxi Marathon's course is so beautiful, passing through numerous scenic spots.

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  Zhang arrived a few days early with family to tour around the city,

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  considering it's a great way to combine the race with a family trip.

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  To enhance the visitor experience, Wuxi offered more than 160 performances and exhibitions during the marathon week,

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  along with over 400,000 discount vouchers for local attractions.

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  The strategy reaped significant rewards.

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  The marathon boosted local consumption in fields like dining and transportation by 505 million yuan,

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