The 2025 Wuhan Marathon kicked off at the intersection of Sanyang Road and Yanjiang Avenue, Hankou, at 7:30 a.m on March 23. This IAAF gold label road race brought together 40,000 runners from 67 countries and regions around the world. They competed fiercely amid a sea of pink and white blossoms, composing a magnificent symphony of sports and city.
This year as Wuhan Marathon entered the IAAF gold label road race events, it drew a record-breaking 450,000 global registration--a 170% surge from that of 2024, becoming the largest marathon in both China and Asia in terms of registration.
Themed “Cherry Blossoming along Rivers and Lakes,” the 42.195-kilometer course stretches from Yanjiang Avenue in Hankou to East Lake Greenway. Runners were immersed in the beauty of Wuhan’s landscape featuring “one city, two rivers, three towns, four bridges, and five lakes,” with blooming cherry trees dotting the mountains and waterfronts of the journey.
23 alumni, teachers, and students from Jianghan University formed the Jianghan University 2025 Wuhan Marathon Team. Adorned with bibs of JHU logo, they dashed along the beautiful cherry blossom-lined course, embracing this springtime sporting spectacle. On the track, they pushed their limits, strove for excellence, and enjoyed Wuhan’s beauty and charm. Their sweat testified to their passion and perseverance for sports, fully embodying the JHU spirit of tenacity and courage to forge ahead.
Qin Xuhui (former teacher at Jianghan University and Vice President of the Jianghan University Alumni Association)
This Wuhan Marathon is my first full marathon since the pandemic. I had the most unique experience: At the start, I focused on the runners around me, determined not to be overtaken by others; after the first twenty kilometers, I focused on the kilometer markers by the roadside, hoping for the next numerical goal; passing the 35-kilometer mark, I saw none of fellow runners or the kilometer markers; what I had in mind was only the unwavering belief to persist. The final seven kilometers were a battle against my own limits! Great joy surged in my heart the moment I crossed the finish line.
This experience mirrors our lives. In youth, we compete with others, then with our goals, and ultimately, with ourselves—only then can we achieve the best outcomes.
Xu Shupeng, alumnus (Class of 2000, Urban Planning Major)
On the course of Wuhan Marathon, the scenery of East Lake was picturesque, the enthusiasm of the citizens was fiery, and the supplies along the way were abundant like a feast. The weather was mild, and every step felt like walking to the rhythm of hope. At the 26-kilometer mark, the pain in my toes almost made me give up, but I gritted my teeth and persevered. By the 40-kilometer mark, my body and mind had transcended exhaustion, and I felt a sense of relief. At the moment I crossed the finish line, I was filled with an unparalleled sense of accomplishment and satisfaction. This marathon was a test of willpower, a challenge to my limits, and an ode to my love for life.
Xiong Xian, alumnus (Class of 2001, Computer Science and Technology Major)
This was my first time participating in a marathon. Since I could easily handle a 15-kilometer run, I thought a 21-kilometer half marathon wouldn’t be too difficult. However, I soon realized how naive I was. At the start, I steadily progressed at my own pace, enjoying the scenery along the route and the enthusiasm of the spectators. By the 16-kilometer mark, my leg muscles began to tighten, and each step felt like I was walking on cotton, with a growing sense of powerlessness. The final 5 kilometers were a battle with myself. I slowed down, adjusted my breathing, and told myself not to give up. Every step was like breaking my limits, and I wanted to persevere. The moment I hit the finish line, I felt a sense of accomplishment from exceeding my limits. This half marathon experience taught me never to underestimate any challenge. See you next year!
Wu Ling, alumna (Class of 2002, Chinese Language and Literature Major)
In the Wuhan Marathon, there were local fellow runners all along the route. They kept cheering me on and giving me encouragement. I was super happy!
My official time was 02:46:59, and I ranked 18th overall among all female participants (including foreign athletes) according to the results certificate.
Gui Juan, alumna (Class of 2002, Physical Education Major)
Running a marathon is a lot like life. Both require setting clear goals for oneself and then moving forward with undivided attention. In this process, every step taken and every persistence is a testament to one’s efforts. As long as one does not give up and keeps moving forward, they will find themselves getting closer to the finish line of victory step by step, and reaping their own success and glory.
Liu Hao, alumnus (Class of 2011, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing, and Automation Major)
Measure the city with your footsteps and be your own pacesetter.
Yang Geng, alumnus (Class of 2011, Environmental Art Design Major)
Two years ago, I started running to lose weight. At first, I could only run one kilometer at a time, and I never imagined that I would step onto the course of Wuhan Marathon. This was my first time marathon, and the atmosphere at the scene was amazing. The national anthem was resounding, and the sound of gongs and drums resonated with my heartbeat. It was absolutely an unforgettable experience! During the race, my heart rate was consistently high, and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to finish it at the beginning. However, with the enthusiastic “加油” (Come on!) cheers from the volunteers along the route, I ultimately persisted and completed the race. Luckily, I joined the Jianghan University Marathon Team the night before the race. On the team were many half and full marathoners, and we encouraged and cheered each other on. This motivated me to persist until the finish line. My marathon journey has just begun!
Wei Dong, alumnus (Class of 2008, Process Equipment and Control Engineering Major)
After 5 consecutive years of ticket lottery, I finally stood on the course of the 2025 Wuhan Marathon this year! As a sports enthusiast, I had been looking forward to this moment for too long. After the start, I sprinted with full enthusiasm. Along the way, the river breeze, cherry blossoms, and enthusiastic cheers all turned to motivate me. Every step of the race was a challenge to my limits, but I gritted my teeth, persevered, and eventually crossed the finish line, achieving a personal best! This hard-won victory was worth every effort. All the sweat and waiting turned into happiness when I passed the finish line. In the future, I will continue to run the next race and pursue more of what I love! I want to measure Wuhan with my strides and feel the charm of the Wuhan Marathon with my heart!
Pan Xingang, faculty member of the Social Cooperation and Alumni Affairs Office
In 2025, Wuhan Marathon was upgraded to a IAAF gold label road race. In this exciting sports event, as the president of the Jianghan University Faculty Running Association and an alumni affairs staff member, my mission is to serve the alumni participants to the best of my ability, actively convey the healthy and positive lifestyle of Jianghan University, and guide and encourage more alumni, teachers, and students to participate in sports and jointly pursue a healthy, happy, and positive life.
Running on the course of cherry blossoms with a bib bearing the logo and name of Jianghan University, I was proud and fulfilled, but also felt a sense of responsibility and mission. I hope to showcase the energetic and enterprising spirit of Jianghan University through our actions.
Fortunately, I was able to receive the China Marathon Grand Slam medal, completing the four major marathons in Beijing, Guangzhou, Wuhan, and Chongqing. My race time was 03:43:36, which was 2 minutes and 2 seconds faster than my time in the Chongqing Marathon on March 2 (03:45:38), and 5 minutes and 30 seconds faster than my time in the 2024 Wuhan Marathon (03:49:06). Throughout the race, the deepest feeling I want to share with everyone is that achievement equals effort, persistence, and accumulation. Be the best version of yourself, enjoy the struggle, and persist until victory.
Zhu Wenyi, Faculty member of the School of Intelligent Manufacturing
The Wuhan Marathon on March 23, held right at my doorstep, gave me a unique experience. I was deeply touched by the enthusiastic spectators lining the course, impressed by the university student volunteers in their “Wuhan Blue” uniforms, and moved by the colleagues who came especially to cheer me on!
For the first half of the race, I ran with all my might, mesmerized by the most beautiful course that showcased the city’s rivers, towns, and scenery. In the second half, I gritted my teeth and persisted, determined to win the coveted “Gold-Inlaid Jade” medal. In the end, I finished the race in 4 hours 7 minutes and 46 seconds. Although I didn’t achieve a personal best, I was content and satisfied. In the future, I will share this running experience with my family, friends, and students, and encourage more people to start running!
Peng Qi, Faculty member of the Conservatory of Music
It was s Sunday morning. When the river breeze wit fine rain brushed my face, I was on the starting line on Yanjiang Avenue, breathing in the humid air together with more than 40,000 runners. The 21.0975-kilometer half-marathon journey was not only a dialogue with myself, but also a heartfelt embrace with Wuhan, a heroic city.
In the first 3 kilometers, the drizzle was like a veil, casting a poetic mist over the course. As I passed the Jianghan Customs House, a historic building heavy with cultural significance, appeared even more imposing in the rain, as if the echoes of history and the sound of running feet were intertwining in a prelude. The ascents of Jianghan First Bridge, Wuhan Yangtze River Bridge, and Shahu Bridge were all arduous, and each uphill climb was extremely challenging. Additionally, the road surface was slippery after the rain. I had to shorten my stride and lower my center of gravity. Even when running at the slowest pace, I tried my best not to stop and walk. In the final 3 kilometers, I gritted my teeth and sprinted, allowing the sweat and rainwater to mix on my face. The Wuhan locals filled the course with their resounding cheers of 'jiayou' (加油), which added to the immersive experience of this Wuhan Marathon.
With ten thousand people running together, I didn’t feel lonely. The end of this journey is also the starting point of the next leg, just like Wuhan, a city that has gone through trials and tribulations but always thrives. The beauty of life lies not only in the blooming under the sunny sky but also in the persevering in a drizzle.
Next year, during the cherry blossom season, I hope to make a date with this river city once again!
Huang Zhe, Faculty member of the Business School
Despite having participated in three half-marathons before, the Wuhan Marathon was still the most challenging one for me. As the first race after being upgraded to an IAAF gold label road race event, Wuhan Marathon tested the runners’ strength with its course including three bridges and two rivers. The continuous climbs challenged not only physical stamina but also mental patience. Although the high starting temperature of 16°C added to the difficulty of the course, the newly planted cherry blossom trees on Zhongshan Avenue and the light rain that fell halfway through the race became the unique enjoyments of running in the spring of Wuhan. At the 13-kilometer mark, I fell accidentally on the slippery road of Hanyang Gate section, but the cheers from the volunteers and spectators along the way encouraged me to eventually finish the race in 2 hours.
Although I failed to break my personal best record, I secretly vowed to challenge the full marathon course that passes through Lingbo Gate Plank Road next year and achieve a new transformation in the East Lake cherry blossom arbor.
Wang Peicai, Faculty member of the School of Life Sciences
After a six-year hiatus, I once again participated in Wuhan Marathon. On the course woven with raindrops, the images of volunteers were the warmest landmarks; together with them, the citizens holding umbrellas formed a colorful human wall.
As I slowed down my pace, the river city veiled in rain unfolded before my eyes like a slowly scrolling ink painting. From the Cherry Blossom Avenue to the banks of the Yangtze River, the smiles of the volunteers and the cheers of the citizens made the Wuhan Marathon course seem increasingly spacious, and the future of Wuhan will shine even more brightly.
Wang Fan, Faculty member of the School of Fine Arts
As a first-time marathon participant, I completed a journey of extraordinary significance on March 23, 2025, earning my first-ever marathon finisher's medal. Standing at the starting line in the early morning, I joined fellow runners in feeling the enthusiastic atmosphere of the three-gun start. Every step along the course was imbued with the pulse of the city of Wuhan. The cheers from the citizens lining the course and the attentive support services from the volunteers made me deeply appreciate the marathon spirit of “challenging oneself” and “sharing with the public.”
Yang Yufan, Student of Physical Education College, Class 221, Social Sports major
In the early spring drizzle, with cherry blossoms fluttering around, the distance from the starting line to the finish line of the Wuhan Marathon was both brief and lengthy. Immersed in every high-five with others and the cheers from volunteer, spectators and fellow runners, I was filled with the joy and sense of accomplishment that the sports bring. The Wuhan Marathon was not just a running experience, but also a journey of the soul. Along the way, I followed or overtook other runners, but ultimately, I chose to follow my own pace and surpassed myself! I look forward to running the next Wuhan Marathon!
