Photo: Cui Meng/GT

The women's record was rewritten at the Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday, as Kenya's Susy Chebat Chemaimak clocked 1:09:07 to claim victory and set a new event benchmark, the Xinhua News Agency has reported.

In the men's race, fellow Kenyan Charles Mbatha Matata finished in 1:00:25 - an impressive performance, though just shy of the 59:37 course record set by Kirui of Kenya in 2023.

This year's Beijing Half Marathon began at 7:30 am at Tiananmen Square, with the finish line set on the scenic boulevard of the Olympic Park Central Area. A total of 20,000 runners took part in the event.

The event reached a record high in pre-registration, with 169,879 runners applying from 54 countries and regions. Of those, 43.4 percent were from Beijing, while 56.6 percent hailed from outside the capital, according to Jimu News.

According to the organization, the elite athlete field was expanded in hopes of seeing record-breaking performances. The final list included eight international elite male athletes, five of whom had personal bests under 61 minutes, and eight domestic elite athletes, four of whom had broken 65 minutes. On the women's side, eight international elite athletes were invited, five of whom had run under 70 minutes. Eight domestic female elites were also selected, including Liu Min, the previous course record holder.

Liu once set the women's course record of 1:11:07 in 2023, which Chemengich surpassed on Sunday. In the Sunday race, Liu broke her own record, finishing with a time of 1:10:41.

"Marathon running is both painful and rewarding," Liu told the Global Times.

"There are so many uncertainties along the way - that's the charm of competitive sports," she said. She also expressed joy at seeing more young people taking an interest in the sport. 

"A marathon is a way for young people to connect with a city's culture and its unique character," Liu said.

When asked about her record being surpassed, Liu said she didn't feel disappointed. 

"Having top athletes competing together pushes everyone to do better," she said. 

"That's how stronger results come. It's totally normal."

Recognized as a World Athletics Label Road Race and an A1-level certified event by the Chinese Athletics Association, the race was titled "A half-marathon poem in a city of spring." Participants were treated to the sights of Beijing in full bloom along the course.

This year's race featured a newly optimized course beyond the 17.5-kilometer mark. Organizers eliminated U-turns and extended straight sections to reduce energy loss and pacing disruptions - conditions designed to help runners chase new personal bests.

Besides the race, a total of 205 referees, more than 3,300 volunteers, over 3,100 security personnel, and more than 150 sanitation workers were mobilized to ensure comprehensive support and services throughout the event.

A sanitation worker alongside the track told the Global Times that the flat and straight streets make it ideal for strong athletic performances, and the route showcases many of the city's iconic cultural landmarks. This not only boosts Beijing's image but also allows participants from across the country to experience its rich cultural atmosphere.

He noted that compared to the last marathon, the number of restrooms along the route of this half marathon has increased by several hundred, and there are also seven functional stations providing ample supply support for the runners. 

"I've witnessed the Beijing [Half] Marathon improve with age, and I welcome more runners worldwide to come and experience it," he said.