SHENZHEN will host approximately 25 sports competitions over the next two months, including prestigious events like the China Cup International Regatta and the Shenzhen Marathon, bringing the total number of sports events of various levels held in the city in 2024 to around 200. The China Cup International Regatta (CCIR) kicked off the exciting two-month sports lineup at Daya Bay in Dapeng New Area on Thursday, and will run until Monday. Initiated in 2007, the CCIR has developed into an important link bridging China and the global sailing community, promoting cultural communication and exchange, over the past decade. As a renowned international sailing competition, the water event has received the “Special Award for Promoting Sailing” from the World Sailing Federation, and is recognized as a premier water sports event in China. According to the CCIR organizer, this year’s event will encompass an ocean sports festival that include competition, commercial activities, culture, art and charity. Last year’s CCIR featured a variety of sideline activities, such as marine environmental protection initiatives, youth sailing model-making experiences, and a themed art exhibition on sailing sports by renowned artists, which significantly sparked public enthusiasm for sailing. Another top-tier water sports event, the World Match Racing Tour (WMRT) Shenzhen Bao’an Grand Final, will set sail in the waters off Qianhai Bay in Bao’an District between Dec. 10 and 15. This year’s edition will feature 16 sailing teams comprised of world-class captains and sailors, including champions from the Olympics, World Championships, and America’s Cup, all vying for the annual titles. Non-water sports events in Shenzhen are equally thrilling. Both the Shenzhen Marathon and the Nanshan Half Marathon will celebrate their 10th anniversaries in December. On Dec. 1, 20,000 runners from home and abroad will set off at the square of the Civic Center in Futian District, and run 42.195 kilometers along Shennan Boulevard and other trunk roads, passing numerous city landmarks. According to the Shenzhen Marathon organizing committee, a total of 105,367 participants from 37 countries and regions signed up for this year’s event, including 21,656 female runners. Among the domestic participants, 68,245 are from Guangdong Province, accounting for 64.77% of the total, with Shenzhen contributing the majority at 68,245 runners, followed by those from Guangzhou, Dongguan, Foshan and Huizhou. Of the registered participants, 26.69% are under 34 years old, 19.76% are aged between 35 and 39, 18.64% are between 40 and 44, and 34.91% belong to other age groups. “We have some interesting statistics regarding the registered participants this year,” said the organizing committee of Shenzhen Marathon. “We will hold a special celebration for 725 runners celebrating their birthdays on Dec. 1, the same day as this year’s marathon.” The organizing committee said they have sent out invitations to the world’s top marathon runners, with an aim to elevate the event to the World Athletics Platinum Label event level. Additionally, the 2024 Nanshan Half Marathon, another nationally celebrated long-distance running event in Shenzhen, will take place Dec. 15, and registration is now open. The Nanshan Half Marathon was awarded a Gold Label designation from the China Athletics Association in 2019. The route will feature notable areas in Nanshan District, including Shenzhen High-Tech Park, Houhai, the coastal area along Shenzhen Bay and the Xili Lake area, highlighting the charm of the district. Other sports events scheduled for the next months include the home matches of Shenzhen soccer team at China Super League, 2024 China Masters Badminton, 2024 FIBA 3X3 World Tour Shenzhen and China Women’s Ice Hockey League, among others.(Claudia Wei) | 