This year's Nanshan Half Marathon, set to take place on Dec. 15, will see the number of participants increase from 16,000 to 20,000 runners, the organizing committee of the Shenzhen Nanshan Half Marathon announced on Oct. 8. The registration for the much-anticipated race will soon open, marking the beginning of the countdown to one of the city's most celebrated sporting events.

In an effort to accommodate more runners and to recognize the dedication of seasoned athletes, the organizing committee has established three categories of direct entry qualifications. Elite athletes who achieved a net time of less than 1 hour and 25 minutes for men and less than 1 hour and 50 minutes for women in the 2023 Nanshan Half Marathon will be granted automatic entry without the need to enter a lottery. 

Additionally, participants who completed the race between 2017 and 2019, registered successfully in 2022, and finished the 2023 event are also exempt from the lottery. The same exemption applies to those who completed the race from 2015 to 2019, registered in 2022, and completed the 2023 race.

The Nanshan Half Marathon has earned a reputation for its exceptional race services and high-quality event management. In 2017, it was recognized as one of the top ten local sports brand events in Shenzhen. By 2019, it had been awarded the gold medal event by the Chinese Athletics Association. In response to the challenges of 2020 and 2021, the Nanshan Half Marathon introduced an innovative competition model that combined online and offline participation, successfully transcending geographical barriers and attracting nearly 500,000 participants from across the country. Last year, the event drew in 16,000 runners.