On November 3rd at 7 AM, the "2024 Hangzhou Marathon" kicked off with excitement at the Huanglong Sports Center. The event featured three categories: the full marathon (42.195 kilometers), the half marathon (21.0975 kilometers), and a fun run (3.5 kilometers), attracting approximately 36,000 runners from across the country.
After intense competition, Kenyan runner Moses Kibet triumphed in the men's full marathon with a time of 2:07:47, not only securing the championship but also breaking the long-standing course record for the Hangzhou Marathon.
According to a representative from the event organizer, Dafeng Sports, this year's marathon introduced robotic pacers for the first time, marking a historic milestone in international marathon events. Among these innovations, the robot serving as the pacer for the half marathon could run at speeds of up to 6 meters per second, with a battery life of 4 to 6 hours. The robot designed for the fun run was even more agile, capable of performing various interactive movements to enhance participants' emotional experience.
This year's marathon not only showcased exceptional athletic performances but also highlighted technological advancements, setting a new standard for future events.