On April 12, the Beijing International Running Festival - Beijing Half Marathon 2026 officially kicked off, drawing 22,000 runners to the starting line. Chinese athlete Wang Wenjie claimed the men's title with a time of 1:01:15, setting a new national half marathon record in China, while Xu Shuangshuang took the women's crown in 1:09:54.

The 21-kilometer course began at Tian'anmen Square and finished along the scenic avenue in the central area of the Olympic Park, winding through Dongcheng and Chaoyang districts. Along the course, runners experienced Beijing's unique charm as a "Dual-Olympic City", passing iconic landmarks including Tian'anmen, the city's moat, Yonghegong Lama Temple, the Temple of Earth, the Bird's Nest (National Stadium), and the Water Cube (National Aquatics Center) — where the city's rich traditions and modern dynamism beautifully converge.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Beijing International Running Festival and the 10th anniversary of the Beijing Half Marathon. The front of the finisher's medal features a sleek, modern design highlighted by an artistic "70" motif. The reverse displays a vibrant 70th-anniversary logo encircled by milestone years — 1956, 2016, and 2026 — merging commemorative meaning with striking visual depth. The race apparel blends the traditional Chinese cosmological concept of "round heaven and square earth" with the city's spirit, accented by subtle patterns inspired by the Great Wall's gray bricks and the Forbidden City's glazed roof tiles, weaving cultural heritage into contemporary athletic style.

(Source: Official WeChat account of Beijing Daily)