The 2016 Open Water Swimming Invitational Race was held in Pingtan, Fujian province on July 17. [Photo/ Chinanews.com]

The 2016 Open Water Swimming Invitational Race was held in Pingtan, Fujian province on July 17, with nearly 600 swimmers from across the country taking part in the competition.

The event was composed of two parts -- freestyle swimming and a 1,000-meter open-water race.

Swimmers who took part in the 1,000-meter open-water race were divided into male and female groups, each split into four groups according to their ages.

Five swimmers from Pingtan Swimming Association took home gold in their respective groups.

The competition is expected to get more people interested in swimming, with more international ocean sports events set to take place in Pingtan later this year, including the first Pingtan International Sailing Culture Festival, and the freestyle kite surfing world championships.

Swimmers in the competition in the 2016 Open Water Swimming Invitational Race held in Pingtan, Fujian province on July 17. [Photo/ ptnet.com]