HONG KONG: A half-marathon in China’s northeastern province of Jilin announced an unusual selection of prizes, with first place winning a cow and second runners getting wild fish, geese or chickens, to attract more participants. can be done and local production can be promoted.
On December 29, the organizers of the Nong’an Taipingchi Ice and Snow Half Marathon said in a WeChat post that the male and female half marathon champions will be awarded a cow. The farm animal can also be exchanged for 6,000 yuan ($827.81).
Second place went to wild fish from Taiping Pond, while other prizes were geese, ducks and roosters from the same pond. Ten kilograms (22 pounds) of rice and wheat will be given to other finishers.
“Great prizes are coming and the champions are very proud. The organizing committee is full of sincerity,” the post said.
The notice was widely circulated on Chinese social media and was one of the hottest topics on the platform Weibo on Tuesday.
“If the first person lives abroad, do you need to buy a high-speed train ticket for cattle?” asked one user.
The event is scheduled to take place at the Wetland Park in Jilin, Nongan County, a major agricultural producer.
According to the Chinese Athletics Association, marathon running in China has grown rapidly in recent years, with a total of 622 marathons and half-marathons being held nationwide in 2023, with an average of about two events per day.
Even smaller cities and counties with populations of a few hundred thousand have started organizing various running events.
Chinese social media is full of comments on marathon events, sportswear, equipment, training and diet tips.
More than 30 marathons and other road running events were held across China between November 2 and 3, with nearly 400,000 participants. Shinhua the state news agency said last week.