In March, 2017, the Chongqing International Marathon even attracted some 120,000 applicants for its 31,000 slots, and the eventual runners were chosen by a lottery system. On the same day, many other marathons also took place in cities across the country, such as Shanghai, Chengdu and Qingyuan.

"We held our first Chongqing Marathon in 2011 when we had to call on the masses for their participation. But in 2017, only one fourth applicants can be granted. The past six years have witnessed the rapid development of marathon in China," said Li Wei, director of the Chongqing Nan'an District Sports Bureau.

ROOTS OF MARATHON HEAT

Despite of its long popularity around the world, marathon had its fever across China only during the recent years, but in a slapping pace, especially among the affluent Chinese people as China has been boasting of its rapid economic development over the decades.

According to the organizers of the Chongqing International Marathon, the main force of the marathon runners are the middle class, namely the white-collar workers, civil servants and businessmen.

Running is considered as the most accessible, cheapest and easiest sport for ordinary people. And its toughest race is marathon, which is a huge challenge to every participant both physically and mentally. The middle class in China is rapidly expanding and they are more than ever keen on leading a healthy lifestyle.

These factors combined to cater to the need of self recognition for those middle class people.

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