News - Marathon Meets Innovation: Global Runners Energize Sanya's Seaside Splendor

In a breathtaking blend of athleticism and digital innovation, the 2025 Hainan (Sanya) Marathon commenced in the scenic city of Sanya, China, on December 28. Now in its 7th year, the marathon drew an impressive 14,000 participants hailing from 19 countries and across China's vast provinces, establishing new connections between cultures through the shared pursuit of fitness and adventure. The course, famed for its panoramic beauty, began at the iconic South Gate of the Sanya Beauty Crown. While marathoners pursued the full 42.195 kilometers to Sanya Bay Coastal Park, those tackling the half marathon concluded their journey at the picturesque Tianya Haijiao Scenic Area. Among the highlights were team competitions and a heartwarming 'Running Hand-in-Hand to Tianya Haijiao' couples category, creating cherished memories and fostering bonds through joint physical exertions. Financial incentives were aplenty, with the event boasting a total prize pool exceeding 500,000 yuan, rewarding top individual performances, new course records, local standout athletes from the Hainan Free Trade Port, as well as couples and teams. Beyond the prize money, the marathon emphasized safety, underscored by a meticulously coordinated health response infrastructure: 253 medical personnel, 100 AED units, 26 ambulances, and three strategic hospitals furnished a layered safety net throughout the course. This meticulous planning ensured the well-being of all runners, supported by over 3,500 operational staff who oversaw everything from security to hydration needs. In a pioneering move, the marathon integrated digital experiences by issuing 30,000 blockchain-secured commemorative medals. Participants logged on to Alipay's innovative services to claim a unique, immutable token of their achievement. Parallel virtual races held across Alipay, DingTalk, and Amap platforms, generated an unprecedented digital footprint of 4 million daily interactions, engaging an additional 27,000 participants who traversed the digital course from afar. Yang Yong, at the helm of Events and Commercialization for Orange Lion Sports, formerly known as Alibaba Sports, remarked on the synthesis of tradition and technology, "Our marathon is not just a race; it showcases Hainan's appeal as an international tourism beacon and consumer destination. By leveraging Alibaba's wide-reaching network, we've redefined participation, building a worldwide running community, both physically present in Sanya and virtually connected across the globe. This event exemplifies how technology unites and elevates our shared human experiences." The marriage of global athletic competition with groundbreaking digital tapestry marks Sanya as more than a destination. It becomes a bridge, connecting runners with a sense of place and purpose while propelling Hainan into the future of sport and leisure tourism.