KUNMING, December 2. /Dunyo IA/. The 10th SCO Kunming International Marathon 2025 was successfully held in Kunming, Yunnan Province, People’s Republic of China, reports Dunyo IA correspondent.

The event was traditionally organized through a coordinated effort by the People’s Governments of Yunnan Province and Kunming City, in collaboration with the Yunnan Provincial Sports Administration, the Foreign Affairs Office of Yunnan Province and the Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO).

The marathon attracted approximately 26,000 runners from over 20 countries and regions worldwide, including member states of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), marking a record turnout in the event’s history. The race route traversed some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, showcasing Kunming’s cultural and urban heritage to a global audience.

The opening ceremony of the sporting event was attended by Chinese officials, representatives of embassies from SCO member and partner states, including Uzbekistan, as well as delegates from international sports and civil society organizations.

As part of this vibrant sporting event, competitions were held across multiple distances, including a full marathon and a half marathon.

The Kunming SCO Marathon attracts professional athletes, running enthusiasts, youth participants, and representatives from various sports federations. Over the years, the marathon’s courses have included the classic 42-kilometer race, a 10-kilometer half marathon, and mass participation runs for amateur runners.

The inaugural Kunming SCO International Marathon was held on 17 December 2016. Since then, the event has been organized annually and holds significant importance in promoting humanitarian and cultural exchanges within the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) framework.