At 7:30 AM on December 9, the 2018 Guangzhou Marathon will start with a gunshot. This marathon event includes two main categories: the full marathon and the half marathon, with a total of 30,000 participants. As a double gold label event certified by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the Chinese Athletics Association (CAA), the Guangzhou Marathon has become a must-run event for many marathon runners due to its continuously improving event services and unique city charm.

Today, I have specially compiled a small guide for the Guangzhou Marathon before the race starts, hoping this guide can provide some convenience for all the runners participating in the Guangzhou Marathon. I hope every runner can finish the race safely and set a new personal best (PB).

What issues should be noted when collecting race gear?

Collection time:December 6, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM

December 7, from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM

December 8, from 9:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Collection location:Hall 14.1, Area C, China Import and Export Fair Complex (Pazhou Complex)

(No. 980 Xingang East Road, Haizhu District, Guangzhou, near Pazhou Station on Metro Line 8)

Venue layout map

Collection credentials

Only registered participants can collect their gear in person; collection by others is not allowed.

1. The 2018 Guangzhou Marathon race gear collection form. Please make sure to bring the printed collection form to the venue. Without the collection form, you will not be allowed to enter.(Log in to the event's official website or the Codoon app, click 'Collection Form Inquiry,' verify the information yourself, download, and print it)

2. The valid ID used during registration (second-generation ID card, passport, Taiwan Compatriot Permit, Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents, etc.)

Collection process

Collecting items

How much do you know about the Guangzhou Marathon course?

It is extremely important for every runner to fully understand the course before the race. The official course map often indicates important information such as supply stations, medical stations, and mobile toilets at each stage, allowing runners to plan their race strategy in advance and achieve better race results.

Haixinsha

The main venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games. After the Asian Games, some of the facilities inside, such as the sail screen and wire system, were preserved as legacies of the Guangzhou Asian Games. Some say that to fully experience Guangzhou after the Asian Games, one must start from the trendy Haixinsha, walk along the riverbank, and enjoy the charm of Guangzhou's riversides.

Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center

Pazhou International Convention and Exhibition Center is the largest convention and exhibition center in Asia and the second largest in the world. From a high vantage point, the center's exterior looks like a white cloud floating by the riverbank; from the east side, it resembles a carp leaping onto the southern bank of the Pearl River. Its modern design and grand scale make it one of Guangzhou's landmark buildings.

Marshal's Mansion

Sun Yat-sen established the Marshal's Mansion here twice between 1917 and 1925, leading the Chinese democratic revolution. The Marshal's Mansion accompanied Sun Yat-sen through a glorious period, during which he made many significant decisions here. The railing on the north building of Sun Yat-sen's office bears his handwritten inscription 'Seek Truth.'

Canton Tower

Canton Tower, nicknamed 'Slim Waist,' is the tallest tower in China and the fourth tallest in the world. It primarily serves as a tourist attraction, with functions for broadcasting, cultural entertainment, and acting as a city landmark. It provided broadcasting services for the 16th Asian Games held in Guangzhou in 2010. In 2011, it was officially recognized as the top of the 'New Eight Sights of Yangcheng,' becoming a must-visit attraction in Guangzhou.

Haizhu Bridge

Built in 1933, Haizhu Bridge is 356.67 meters long and was the first bridge to connect the north and south banks of the Pearl River in Guangzhou. Haizhu Bridge, with its history and unique style, adorns and symbolizes Guangzhou, forming part of the 'Blue Sea and Red Heart,' one of the Eight Sights of Yangcheng.

Clock Tower

The Clock Tower is one of the representative works of modern Western neoclassical architecture in Guangzhou, commonly known as the Clock Tower. It was the first clock tower among customs houses in China, established in 1685 during the Kangxi period of the Qing Dynasty as part of the Canton Customs, one of China's first four customs houses. The ancient clock atop the tower has been chiming every 15 minutes for decades, playing a segment of the British song 'Westminster' before striking the hour, a tradition that continued until the 1980s.

Southern Building

Built in the early Republic of China period, the Southern Building is China's earliest 'skyscraper.' The Southern Building Hotel has a long history, located in the bustling commercial center of the city, adjacent to the scenic Pearl River.

Guangzhou Folk Financial Street

Guangzhou Folk Financial Street is located near the northern bank of the Pearl River, along the historic Changdi. It is known as 'China's First Financial Street.' The street boasts beautiful scenery and numerous arcade buildings, serving as a long-standing hub of Lingnan culture, the birthplace of 'Ten-Mile Foreign Market' commercial culture, and the origin of Guangzhou's financial industry.

Guangzhou Aiqun Hotel

Guangzhou Aiqun Hotel (Aiqun Building) was completed and opened in 1937. Its architectural style is unique, resembling American skyscrapers. From 1937 to 1967, it held the title of 'the tallest building in Guangzhou' for 30 years. Aiqun Hotel was a leader in the hotel industry at the time, with significant influence both domestically and internationally, earning the reputation of 'the crown of South China.'

Haiyin Bridge

The bridge is a double-tower single-cable plane cable-stayed bridge, with a total length of 125 meters and a tower height of 57.4 meters. It is supported by 186 steel cables arranged in a star shape. The tower tops resemble two 'goat horns,' symbolizing Yangcheng. Haiyin Bridge has the image of a two-masted ship setting sail at sunrise, and at night, it shines brilliantly like two giant harps playing melodious tunes with the flowing water. It is a unique road bridge on the Pearl River.

Tianzi Wharf

Tianzi Wharf, commonly known as 'Guangzhou's First Wharf,' was exclusively for officials during the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty, with no civilian boats allowed to dock. Due to its prominent status, it was named Tianzi Wharf. Today, it is mainly used for crossing the river and for tourism, with many Pearl River night cruise ships departing from here.

Central Bank Building

The Central Bank Building was originally the office building of the Guangdong Provincial Bank, founded by Sun Yat-sen on August 15, 1924, during the first cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. It was later renamed the Central Bank, and the building became known as the Central Bank Building. The building once issued banknotes and played an important role in China's financial history.

Ersha Island

Ersha Island is a natural river island oasis located in the Pearl River section of central Guangzhou. Surrounded by river water, it is the most modern and stylish treasure land in Guangzhou. Xinghai Concert Hall, Guangdong Museum of Art, high-end residential areas, and sports training bases are all nestled within its vast green spaces.

Starting information

Race time:7:30 AM, December 9, 2018 (Sunday)

Starting point:South Square of Tianhe Sports Center

Finish point:Huacheng Square (marathon finish)

North Square of the Canton Fair Complex (half marathon finish)

Weather conditions:8°C~12°C, moderate to heavy rain turning to moderate rain, wind force 4~5

According to the weather forecast, the temperature on the day of the Guangzhou Marathon will be relatively low, so runners need to warm up and keep warm.Even in December, Guangzhou can experience moderate to heavy rain, so runners must be prepared for a rainy race.

Bag check and inspection

Marathon and half marathon runners should check their bags in the designated area at the starting point according to their bib number. After reaching the finish point, please go to the designated area to retrieve your belongings with the same bib number. Do not store valuables in your bag (such as mobile phones, valid IDs, cash, various keys, credit cards, electronic devices, etc.). If any damage or loss occurs, the runner will bear all consequences.

The bag check service at the starting point will close 15 minutes before the gunshot, so runners should plan their time accordingly. Marathon runners should retrieve their stored items by 2:45 PM on the race day (half marathon runners by 12:00 PM).

If items are not retrieved within the specified time, they can be collected from the event organizing committee within one week after the race. If not collected within a week, the organizing committee will treat them as unclaimed. If the bag is lost due to not following the designated time, location, and method for bag check, the organizing committee will not be responsible.

Energy supply

Water supply stations:Starting from the starting point, a drink/water station is set up approximately every 5 kilometers, with a water/use station set up between two drink/water stations.

Energy supply stations:Energy supply stations are set up along the race route at 12.5 km, 17.5 km, 22.5 km, 27.5 km, 32.5 km, 35 km, 37.5 km, and at the half and full marathon finish points.

Medical assistance

The organizing committee will set up fixed medical stations at the starting point, along the race route (every 2.5 kilometers starting from the 5 km mark), and at the finish point. On-site medical personnel have the right to stop runners from continuing the race based on their physical condition and collect their bib numbers. If runners do not follow the medical personnel's advice and insist on participating, they will bear all consequences and responsibilities.

The organizing committee will provide AED medical rescue services during the race and arrange a certain number of physician runners to assist with medical aid.

The organizing committee will set up medical service points and medical service volunteers along the race route to maintain order and assist with medical aid. Runners can ask them for help at any time.

Cut-off time

The Guangzhou Marathon route has specific cut-off times for each section. After the cut-off time, the timing mats at the corresponding kilometer points will stop working, and the corresponding road sections will reopen to traffic. Runners who have not completed the corresponding distance within the cut-off time must immediately stop the race and exit the course to avoid danger. Runners who exit the race can take a shuttle bus from the collection stations along the route or use public transportation to reach the finish area to retrieve their belongings.

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