Zhang is the lone survivor of the six athletes who were leading the race on a remote stretch of track when extreme weather caused freezing rain and a sudden dive in temperature.
The tragedy shocked China’s running community and prompted public outrage, with many questioning whether the organizers had planned the race properly and prepared participants for the extreme weather.
As China’s rising middle class picks up running as a hobby, marathons and trail races have exploded in popularity over the past years.
According to the Chinese Athletic Association, 1,828 marathons and other long-distance races were held across China in 2019 before the pandemic hit, drawing more than 7 million participants. In 2014, there were just 51 races.
The skyrocketing growth was partly spurred by government efforts to develop the country’s sports industry. In 2014, the General Administration of Sports of China announced that organizers no longer had to seek approval from the administration or its…
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