The Association of International Marathons & Distance Races (AIMS) representing 447 of the world’s best races across 117 countries and territories, including Boston, Chicago, Berlin, Paris, Tokyo and Athens-The Authentic Marathons, held its 22nd World Congress this week in Tallinn, Estonia (6-9 September 2018) at a time when Estonia celebrates 100 years of Independence.
Ms. Shirley Yang, AIMS PR Manager for China and representative of the Chinese Athletic Association (CAA), reported on the development of marathon running in China. In 2011 there were 22 Marathon races that were co-sponsored by the CAA. This reached 328 in 2016 and 1,102 in 2017 (an increase of over 335% year on year), 50 times the amount in 2011. Over 5 million runners competed in these events.
AIMS President Paco Borao commented: “The popularity of running around the world is progressing at a rate never seen before in world history. China is the biggest example of this showing an increase in events in one year from 328 races (2016) to 1,102 (2017) an increase of 335% in a year with over 5 million people now running. The members of the AIMS marathon movement now represent the best factory in the world for generating physical and mental health and wellbeing.”
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