Shanghai Marathon sees 9,000 runners hit the streets in defiance of coronavirus – in pictures

Officials touted the race as an opportunity to show how China is moving ahead despite the continuing global health crisis

A woman holds a countdown placard before the start of the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

Runners run from the start line during the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

A worker in a protective suit sprays disinfectant on the street during the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

Runners take part in the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

Runners take part in the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

A runner wearing a spider man costume takes part in the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

Runners take part in the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

Runners wearing masks take part in the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

A staff member in a protective suit speaks through a loudspeaker ahead of the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

Runners take part in the 2020 Shanghai marathon. AFP

Around 9,000 runners took to the streets of Shanghai on Sunday to take part in the Shanghai International Marathon for a a rare mass event in a year when coronavirus laid waste to most such sport.

Prior to the race, officials touted it as an opportunity to show how China – where the virus emerged late last year before unleashing a pandemic – is moving ahead despite the continuing global health crisis.

The prestigious New York, Berlin, Boston and Chicago marathons all fell victim to coronavirus this year, while London and Tokyo were open only to elite runners.

Bucking that trend, the Shanghai Marathon went ahead under sunny skies following several days of rain, and with virus prevention measures in place to thwart infections.

Shanghai is on edge following a scattering of recent local cases, but China has largely got to grips with the epidemic thanks to strict lockdowns and aggressive mass testing.

Runners had to pass a coronavirus test in order to take part and were ordered to wear a mask immediately before and after the race. Some kept them on the whole time.

About 9,000 runners had been expected to take part, down from 38,000 in previous Shanghai marathons. No overseas athletes flew in for the race and spectators were told to stay away.