At 8 a.m. on December 8, the highly anticipated 2024 Hengyang Marathon kicked off grandly at the Hengyang Sports Center. Co-hosted by the Hunan Provincial Sports Bureau and the Hengyang Municipal People’s Government, this major sporting event has been officially upgraded to a Category A1 marathon in China and certified by the Chinese Athletics Association. The marathon attracted running enthusiasts from across the country, eager to measure this land with their strides, celebrate perseverance, and embody the marathon spirit of challenging oneself, pushing limits, and never giving up.

To allow participants and spectators to deeply appreciate Hengyang’s cultural heritage, a parallel Intangible Cultural Heritage Exhibition was held during the event. From December 5 to 8, the four-day exhibition was a crowd-puller, showcasing 12 exceptional cultural heritage projects. Highlights included Jinjialing Radish Craft, Hengyang Junling Water-Milled Tangyuan Craft, and Shigu Brand Crispy Mooncake Craft, which became popular hotspots for visitors.

The exhibition was a feast of traditional craftsmanship. Visitors could savor culinary delights such as the Yang Family Grass Carp Ball Craft and Qidong Jinlongyan Sweet Potato Twist Processing Technique, while also admiring the exquisite artistry of Hengyang’s local traditions. Featured handmade crafts and creative cultural products, which have gained recent fame, left spectators with a lasting impression of the city’s cultural richness.

This cultural heritage exhibition not only provided a visual and culinary treat for participants and spectators but also injected new energy into the preservation and development of Hengyang’s intangible heritage. By leveraging the international platform of the marathon, Hengyang’s intangible cultural heritage has once again reached a broader audience, showcasing the unique charm and cultural depth of this vibrant city to the world.

Translator: Jing