On Dec 8 at precisely 7:30 am, the Guangzhou Marathon 2024 leaped into action at the Tianhe Sports Center with the firing of the starting gun.

A vast wave of 26,000 runners moved swiftly along the picturesque Pearl River, pushing towards the finish line at the Haixinsha Asian Games Park.

This year, a staggering 112,987 running enthusiasts from around the world signed up for the race.

Ultimately, 145 foreign participants from 21 countries and regions, 428 runners from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan – as well as 6,913 Guangzhou locals, 6,488 participants from Guangdong province and 12,026 other runners from elsewhere in the country – got the chance to compete.

At its climax, Gebise Lelisa Debele from Ethiopia blazed across the finish line in a time of 2 hr 6 min 28 sec – setting a new record for the race.

In a display of Ethiopian dominance, Anchialem Haymanot Wibineh seized the women's crown in a time of 2:25:13.

The Guangzhou Marathon 2024 kicks off at the Tianhe Sports Center with the sound of the starting gun. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

Runners wait patiently at the starting line, ready for the race to begin. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]

A participant dresses in a wacky costume that celebrates French fries. [Photo/Yangcheng Evening News]

An older runner cruises towards the finishing line. [Photo/WeChat account: tianhefabu]