After the cancellation of the two previous editions due to the pandemic, the marathon is back in Beijing. 20,000 participants set off from Tiananmen Square this Sunday, November 06, in an event under strict health surveillance
of our correspondents in Beijing, Stephane Lagarde and Louise May
“The Beijing Marathon is on again! Go athletes! », shout the announcer two steps from Mao’s mausoleum. An orange ball pierces the gray November sky, while the first to put on their bibs stretch in front of a watchtower on the ancient ramparts of the Chinese capital. An army of sweepers takes position behind the barriers, ready to intervene when the runners have taken flight. The last to arrive deposit their numbered transparent bags, with snacks, drinks and warm clothes, in trucks which will take them to the finish line
24h negative covid test
The organizers announced 30,000 participants for this 2022 edition. China Central Television counted 20,000 in Tiananmen Square. On a wet finger, it looked more like 15,000. But already, the national anthem roars in the loudspeakers. The long cohort of runners takes place respecting the markings on the ground, red lines of the same color as the signs held by the volunteers which recall the measures of social distancing.
7:30 a.m. A “bang” slams against the walls of the surrounding monuments and it’s a sigh of relief for the organizers. Clamor among the participants, the two previous editions were canceled due to the pandemic and until the last moment some did not dare to believe it. But that’s it, it’s the start! This young graduate is impatient. “It’s the first time I’ve participated, I’m very excitedshe explains. It’s been two years since we signed up with friends. My goal is to finish the 42 kilometers in 3 hours 10 minutes. I trained a lot for this. This year, I ran at least 200 kilometers per month, to be ready. » The joy is visibly shared and deserved.
To participate, physical condition is not enough. “Zero covid” strategy obliges, candidates must not have left Beijing in the seven days preceding the test. It was also necessary to present a negative PCR of 24 hours. Conditions that no longer surprise the majority of those present accustomed to being tested every three days since last May. “If there were not these measures, the event could not take place, points out Bob, a finance employee. At 29, the latter was afraid to pass the milestone of three decades before carrying out his first marathon. “We have been waiting for three years and it is a national eventhe said. There are few sporting events lately, it’s a sign that things are going better. I came with colleagues, we form a close-knit group, we are really very happy to be here, even if we had to get up very early. »
Candied fruit skewers headband
Beijing is once again a party. Not completely. There are certainly smiles and Vs for victory from most of those who took the start. There is also this good-natured amusement shared among people coming from the same ” danwei – a work unit-, office colleagues who wear the same clothes as a sign of recognition, or among those merry lads who have donned blond wigs and are the joy of photographers. Same thing for these three girlfriends who, to run, wear headbands symbolizing the famous ” tangroulou “, these skewers of candied fruit that delight Pekingese aged 7 to 77 every winter. But there are also the others, all those who couldn’t come.
Due to travel restrictions linked to the epidemic resurgence, Beijing has once again turned into a fortress. The covid risk areas have multiplied in recent weeks. Notifications rain down on smartphones, alerting their owner of a near or far passage in these areas, immediately blocking any travel plans. “I don’t really have any merit, says Wang Xin, 39. This mother of two children is modest. She is the first woman on the finish line, but she relativizes her performance: “If athletes from all over China and abroad could have participated, it would have been much more difficultshe explains with a smile. I’m happy, it’s my first marathon,” continues the one who started training to lose weight last year. She also lost 30 kilos: “Now the more I run, the happier I am. » More than 90% of participants this year come from Beijing, in a race organized for the first time by the National Athletics League.
To raise the level, the organizers used a list of guests, including the winner of the 2022 edition. Originally from the autonomous region of Xinjiang, Anubaike Kuwan won the event in two hours 33 minutes and 14 seconds. The Sino-Kazakh runner trained with the famous Beijing Yuan Da marathon club, which provided 200 of its best competitors for the race. Among the top ranked are also military and law enforcement athletes, like this policeman who finished 7th at the finish line and who started the long distance race at the start to to keep onself in good form. ” Today, he said, I wanted to show the inhabitants of my neighborhood that with a little practice, everyone can do it. »