It is the first major sporting event in the Chinese capital since the Winter Olympics in February and took position despite a spike in infections in China.
China continues to adhere to a strict zero-covid policy, with lockdowns, quarantines and serious regimes imposed even after the smallest outbreaks.
As a result, only other people living in Beijing were allowed to participate in the race, unlike previous editions, which had attracted foreign runners.
“I learned my dream today,” Gao Lixiang, a 31-year-old participant, told AFP. “I’ve been running for about a year. I haven’t stopped at that first marathon. “
Some runners kept their face masks for the race, which Xinjiang’s Anubaike Kuwan won in two hours, 14 minutes and 34 seconds upon arriving at Beijing Olympic Park.
The marathon was due to resume last year, but was cancelled to avoid any covid outbreaks ahead of the Beijing Olympics.
On Sunday, runners passed through Tiananmen Square as they finished the race through the streets and highways of the Chinese capital.
The festive atmosphere, with some participants dressed in colorful wigs, carrying flags or other young people applauding.
Hundreds of spectators moved along the route to cheer them on despite the cloudy and polluted weather.
“I’m very excited because a lot of marathons have been cancelled,” said runner Niu Yaru, 34, from Beijing.
For more than two decades, China has established itself as a premier host of global events.
But the country’s zero-covid policy has noted that it sharply cut ties with the rest of the world since 2020 in a bid to restrict outbreaks through travelers.
The policy has disrupted the country’s ambitions to host major events, with Formula 1 grands prix, golf and tennis cancelled in recent years.
In recent days, China has recorded its highest number of Covid infections since May, the number remains low by global standards.
More than 4,000 cases were reported nationwide on Sunday 49 in Beijing.
Several more Chinese marathons are planned for this month, with a race in Shanghai scheduled for November 27. It will be the financial hub’s first major event since a two-month Covid shutdown in the spring.