China’s Anubaike Kuwan (left) and Xia Yuyu won first place in the men’s and women’s categories of the 2022 Beijing Marathon on Sunday. Photo: VCG

Participants run in the Beijing Marathon, the first to take place in two years since the event was suspended due to Covid-19. Started in 1981, the Beijing Marathon is a major competitive race in China. This year, the event’s organizer limited the number of runners to 30,000. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

A senior citizen competes in the marathon. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

A runner stretches out on the sideline to relieve a muscle cramp. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

A runner drinks a sports drink during the race. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

A man in traditional Chinese dress runs in the event. Photo: Zhang Ruixue/Caixin

Runners wave to the marathon’s spectators. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

Spectators cheer on the runners from the sideline. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

A child holds up signs to encourage family members running in the race. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin

With the exception of runners who received special invitations, this year’s marathon was limited to people living in Beijing. Photo: Ding Gang/Caixin