This winter, the warmth of Kunming comes not only from the plateau sunshine, but from the surge of heat generated by 26,000 runners gathering in the Spring City. On November 30, the 2025 SCO Kunming Marathon kicked off along the shores of Dianchi Lake. Runners from more than 20 countries and regions traversed the curves of what is widely acclaimed as the "most beautiful course," bearing witness to the event’s ten-year rendezvous with the city.

A decade is sufficient for a sapling to mature into a towering tree and for a sporting event to take root, becoming a cultural emblem of its host city. Since its debut in 2016, the SCO Kunming Marathon has advanced from a Chinese Athletics Association Bronze Label race to securing the prestigious World Athletics Gold Label. Its ten-year ascent is akin to a marathon: steadfast, determined, and relentless.

Running to surpass oneself, embracing the world

At the starting gun, a tremendous wave of runners surged forward. Among them were full-distance marathoners, half-marathon runners savoring the journey, and families crossing the finish line hand in hand. While their running styles varied, the underlying spirit—their pursuit of health, zest for life, and affection for the city—was universally shared. 

This year’s competition witnessed remarkable athletic achievements. Ethiopia's Asefa Boki Kebebe crossed the finish line in 2:08:49, setting a new course record. Chinese athletes also shone brightly: Yang Shaohui and Li Qingqing secured the men's and women's half-marathon titles, respectively, demonstrating a formidable home advantage.

The essence of this race extends far beyond mere athletic competition. As the world’s sole marathon named after an international organization, it has carried a unique mission from the beginning—to connect people and reach across borders. The 26,000 runners were not only participants but ambassadors of cultural exchange, their strides weaving a living bridge between Kunming and the world.

With mountains and rivers as the scroll, the black-headed gulls "dance" to accompany this grand event

If the course forms the skeleton of a marathon, then its scenery is the flesh and soul. The signature charm of the SCO Kunming Marathon lies in its seamless integration with the landscape, enabling runners to traverse its "most beautiful course." Starting from the Haigeng Hall and passing landmarks such as Yunnan Nationalities Village, the Haigeng Training Base, and the Dounan Flower Market, the route artfully stringing together the Spring City's most cherished natural and cultural gems, much like a precious necklace.

The scenery transformed with each stride. The black-headed gulls, the "aerial guests" of early winter, became the most dynamic embellishments of the event. They circled against the blue sky or skimmed the water’s surface, their graceful movements echoing the flow of runners below. Together they formed a harmonious tableau of humans and nature—a scene of joy shared by both people and birds. This spectacle was not choreographed; it emerged naturally from Kunming’s long-held commitment to ecological protection and green development, silently narrating the unique story of the "City of Flowers" to the world.

The unseen course where the race is also being run

Beyond the spotlight illuminating the runners' sweat, every successful marathon relies on an unseen race of dedication, coordination, and quiet resolve carried out in the shadows.

More than 3,300 volunteers and over 700 medical and emergency responders formed the event's most reliable support echelon. With aid stations every 2.5 kilometers, ambulances on standby, and medical runners integrated within the participant pack, a robust safety net was meticulously deployed across the entire course. Their often unnoticed efforts carried the dreams of 26,000 runners, ensuring a race that was not only warm and welcoming but also safe and dependable.

This marathon has become part of Kunming’s collective memory and woven itself into the city’s development. Its impact extends far beyond race day, unleashing a sustained “marathon effect”—encouraging public fitness, invigorating cultural and tourism integration, and elevating the city’s global profile.It serves as a window, allowing the world to witness a Kunming that is open, inclusive, and brimming with vitality.