Going the distance

An increasing number of Chinese runners travel away to join various marathons staged at home and abroad, as running has been picked up by many as a fashion of lifestyle and attitude. [Photo provided to China Daily]

The International Association of Ultrarunners, an authority organizing the longer races, has been talking to the CAA, hoping it could become one of its members in the near future.

"The runners now have different levels of endurance and therefore want different competitions to show off their abilities," Wang says, adding that some people are not satisfied with the full marathon and yearn to run longer distances.

Speaking of the reasons behind the increasing popularity of marathons, Wang says running is simple as compared with other sports, and it is economical.

"You need only a pair of running shoes to be on the track".

The sport can also toughen up the body, especially the cardio-pulmonary function and muscles, and help people lose weight and curb depression.

At present, marathon runners run the gamut of social status, from high-ranking government officials to white-collar workers and children.

Wang Daqing, an individual marathon organizer, says that while millions of people are running nationwide, a half-year training is necessary for newbies and it's best if they start with a half-marathon to get used to the pace and avoid injuries.

Going through medical checks and keeping track of one's vital parameters is also important, because it helps runners to understand if they're up to competitions, he says.

Marathon competitions usually require runners' track records, which can be accessed online, before they are admitted.

Wang, who started running in 2008, started a business organizing marathons in 2012.

Running helped him lose 22 kilograms in body weight and stay in shape.