Marathons, it has been said, attract two types of people: Runners and Racers. What group you fall into depends largely on your mentality (and, to a greater degree, the amount of training you’ve put in). Running, as many of the sport’s participants are given to tell you, is an inclusive activity open to all: “All you need is a pair of track shoes.” No argument there. Racing, on the other hand, is an altogether more exclusive pursuit.
Allow us to explain. Whereas racers set out to finish the race before everybody else, runners, by contrast, just want to finish the race. Racers are winners, and while it’s not fair to say that runners are losers, it’s unlikely a runner will ever be offered a sponsorship deal with a major sportswear company. But hey, it’s the taking part that counts, right?
The annual Shanghai Marathon, now in its 18th year, attracts its fair share of both groups. With over 35,000 participants, the event is easily the biggest of its kind in China and a contender to become one of the world’s elite races, alongside London, New York, Boston and Chicago.
Originally a small gathering organized by and aimed squarely at running enthusiasts, the Shanghai Marathon has grown in recent years to become an established IAAF certified gold world-wide event, attracting some of the very best athletes from across the international circuit – this year saw a record 5,558 foreign participants from 84 different countries and regions, including the eventual winner, Stephen Mokoka from South Africa, who crossed the finish line in an impressive two hours, nine minutes and 30 seconds.
Valued by runners (and especially racers) for its flat terrain, accommodating seasonal temperatures, high level of organization and spectacular scenery – the opening 5k takes in the Bund and the Pudong skyline, while later stretches snake through downtown Shanghai – the marathon has become a major social event, drawing in a large and supportive local turnout.
But what of the Runners and Racers? We caught up with three participants, first time marathon runner Will Philips, seasoned marathon enthusiast and professional running coach Stephy Chung and second-time Shanghai Marathon runner Steve George, to get their thoughts on the race…
// For more information on the Shanghai Marathon: www.shmarathon.com, 6428 5971, general@shmarathon.com
Will Philips
Age: 26
Marathons: 1
To get to the start line of the Shanghai marathon I had to get a taxi before 6am on a Sunday morning. At that time, Shanghai is eerily quiet. It’s not the kind of raucous buzz that should accompany big sporting events and for someone about to run a marathon for the first time, it’s unsettling. Before long though the taxi turns a corner towards the Bund and the crowd materializes – a good thirty thousand runners all bopping around, doing some last minute limbering up and generally looking quite excited.
As soon as I joined that sea of people stretching out along the Bund at the start line, a tangible buzz of excitement made any nerves ebb away. You’re taking part in a huge televised sporting event and – even though they’ll be out of sight after the first hundred meters – are behind some of the world’s most elite runners.
As the huge snake of runners flowed through the city, non-stop “Jia you!” (“Come on!”) from the crowds made the kilometers fly by. Sure, it was agony at the end (I seem to remember the thought “Never, never again” popping into my head regularly), but looking back, the whole day was memorable. Not least when an old man caught sight of my participation medal after the race and asked incredulously if I’d actually won the whole thing. “Sadly not this year,” I told him, “but next year – who knows?”
Stephy Chung
Age: 29
Marathons: 8
I arrived at the starting line excited, but tired. I stood next to a 63-year-old Shanghainese man who was running his first marathon. He would later pass me.
The route along the Bund as framed by the sunrise was stunning. I was also impressed by the crowds, there were volunteers handing out bananas, old ladies dancing and cheering, and numerous musicians. It was well planned, with officials at any turn-off that would be the slightest bit confusing between the 10K, half and full – considerably better than other similar Chinese races where organization can be patchy. I found the unusually high level of pollution challenging to run in, however, and the constant U-turns frustrating. While it was fun seeing runner friends as you turned, there were discouraging moments where I knew I’d have to run x-amount more kilometers in order to get to the other side.
All and all, it wasn’t my race – I didn’t reach my time goal. The finish line is – as all runners know – a place of triumph or a place of frustration. But, overall, it was well organized, captured the true spirit of running, the souvenir shirt was stylish and something I’d actually wear again. And the route gave a good sense of the sprawling city.
Steve George
Age: 30
Marathons: 5
The last marathon I completed, prior to Shanghai, was an ultra marathon in December 2011 in the mountains of Guizhou – 100 km of strange elated agony – that all but finished my chances of ever running another marathon again. But that was two years ago, and the pain I experienced after completing that race, and the memories of the physiotherapy intended to cure, it had all but vanished.
“Why don’t you run Shanghai again?” suggested a friend. Ah, Shanghai… such a great race, what could possibly go wrong… 10 km into the race and my knee reminds of why I had to give up running in the first place. From there on in, it’s torture… pure torture. Still, the crowds were great, and top marks to the organizers – apologies if I decide to sit out next year though.
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