On Sunday, runners and spectators at the 2026 Wuhan Marathon in Hubei province will experience a stunning spring spectacle along the 42.195-kilometer route.

Approximately 3,500 cherry blossoms and Chinese flowering crabapples will line this year's course, which connects historic sites, lake and mountain views, urban landscapes, and revitalized industrial zones.

Running from Hankou to Wuchang districts, the marathon passes the iconic "one bridge, two mountains" cultural and tourism zone, which includes Guishan Mountain, Sheshan Mountain, the Yellow Crane Tower, Qingchuan Pavilion, and the Yangtze River Bridge.

The Zhiyin cultural tourism area has become a popular spot to admire spring flowers along the way, with early blossoms in full bloom and medium blossoms to come soon. From the Hanyang end of the Yangtze River Bridge on South Guishan Road, visitors can climb Guishan Mountain to reach viewing platforms with stunning views.

This year's finish line is set at a beach on the Yangtze River in Qingshan district for the first time. The nearby former industrial zone has been transformed into a riverside garden.

The original black asphalt track has been turned into a 760-meter cherry blossom runway, which is painted with 78 sets of flower patterns and accompanied by more than 60 cherry trees, forming a unique view that combines elegant blossoms and industrial heritage.

Liu Xueru contributed to this story.