Every experienced runner knows the importance of pacing yourself and preparing properly for a race. At the China Marathon Healthy Development Forum in Xiamen, Fujian province on Dec 30, experts from various fields discussed how the same principles can be applied to organizing marathons too.

National sports administration officials, famous economists, sports medicine specialists and industry leaders take part in the China Marathon Healthy Development Forum in Xiamen, Fujian province on Dec 30. The forum is held ahead of the 2017 Xiamen International Marathon. [Photo by Wei Peiquan/Xinhua]

The popularity of marathon running has grown at a ferocious pace in China in recent years. According to Du Zhaocai, secretary-general of the Chinese Athletic Association, 2.8 million Chinese people took part in marathons in 2016, a six-fold increase on 2011, and 328 marathons or related events were registered with the association that year.

Du Zhaocai, secretary-general of Chinese Athletic Association, speaks at the China Marathon Healthy Development Forum in Xiamen, Fujian province on Dec 30. [Photo/fjsen.com]