The top three winners in the men's group and Lu Hanwei, secretary of the Xichuan County Party Committee. [Photo by Gao Song in Nanyang Daily]

Wang Guangjiao, the Xichuan County Tourism Image Ambassador, sings for the event. [Photo by Gao Song in Nanyang Daily]

An older athlete takes part in the competition. [Photo by Gao Song in Nanyang Daily]

The 2019 First Xichuan International Half Marathon Competition with the theme of "gratitude for the source of benefit, to run in Xichuan" kicked off on October 12. More than 6,000 Chinese and foreign athletes from China, Ethiopia and Uganda participated in and enjoyed the competition. The event was sponsored by the China Athletics Association, the Henan Sports Bureau and the Nanyang People's Government, and hosted by the Xichuan County People's Government. Lu Hanwei, secretary of the Xichuan County Party Committee, awarded the top three winners in the men's group.