Common Talk Weeklyshuang yu zhou kan
issue date

Marathon registration begins
February 18, 2004
By Angela Lehmann

The time has come for runners to register for the second Xiamen International Marathon. The race, to be held this year on the 27th March, is expected to attract more than 15,000 athletes from all over the world. Last year’s inaugural race was won by Hailu Negussie from Ethiopia who ran the 42.2 km race in just over 2 hours and 9 minutes. To try your luck at beating him next month and walking away with the USD100,000 grand prize there are a few steps you will need to follow.

This year there are four races being run on the day — the full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km. Full or half marathon runners must be over 18 years old. 10km runners must be 15 or older and 5km runners, at least 13 years old.

A good first place to visit is the marathon organising committee’s new English language page at www.xmim.org. Here you can download the English version of the forms you need to apply.

After filling in the forms head to the Xiamen Sports Stadium Center, Southern Gate (ph. 503 8252). When signing up you will need a copy of your passport or ID card and an insurance policy (provided by the organising committee on the spot). Participants in the full marathon will need to pay a 100 yuan deposit for the electronic timing chip which will be refunded on returning the chip. The closing date for applications is March 5. Closer to the date, applicants will be able to go back to the Sports Center to pick up their running-bibs, final race instructions, race-T-shirts and clothing bags. Read Common Talk and visit Sue and Bill Brown’s website www.amoymagic.com for further updates!