15,000 runners took part in the 2018 Shanghai International Half Marathon.

Dong Jun / SHINEDong Jun / SHINE

Improved organization impressed runners at Shanghai International Half Marathon, though some have been affected by the heat.

15,000 runners hit the road from Shanghai Oriental Pearl TV Tower on a sunny morning. Sunday's temperature was forecasted to be 20 to 26 degrees Celsius, but some parts of the route exposed to the sun reached nearly 30 degrees.

Dong Jun / SHINE

Heatstroke incidents increased in the latter part of the competition, according to organizers, with about 20 runners receiving medical care, though no severe cases were reported. Nearly all runners, 98 percent, completed the race.

In its fourth year, the annual event has seen improved organization, with details being noticed and praised by runners.

It was the first time a blue line was printed along the route of a marathon event in China. The line indicates the shortest distance of a certain part of the route, especially at turning places. Runners aiming for a faster finishing time might follow the line when running, and will cover exactly 21.0975 kilometers when they reach the finish line at Pudong’s Oriental Sports Center.

Zhou Jin, General Manager of organizer Shanghai Donghao Lansheng Event Management, said finishing the blue line required quite a bit of effort in the lead up to the event.

“Due to Shanghai’s road management, we were given only one night to prepare the route. We printed nearly 20 blue lines, mostly in turning places, to give elite runners a reference,” Zhou said.

Blue lines are a common practice in some world-known marathon competitions including the New York Marathon and Berlin Marathon.

“I noticed the blue line,” runner Zhang Ning told Shanghai Daily. “It would be very useful for those who want to create PB (personal best) results. But for ordinary runners like me, to complete the route is satisfying enough.”

The 33-year-old IT employee completed the race in about two and a half hours, some 10 minutes more than her expectation.

“The weather affected me a bit, and I did not want to push myself too hard,” Zhang said. Zhang witnessed a few heatstroke incidents in the latter part of the race. The number of medical staff and ambulances arranged along the route increased in the last five to six kilometers, she added.

According to the organizer, water stations were set up starting from the 5km spot. There were five water spraying spots along the route to help runners beat the heat. Wet sponges and ice were also available.

There were 21 medical spots along the route and 10 ambulances, as well as 88 sets of AED equipment.

Dong Jun / SHINEMa Yue / SHINE

Near 1,600 volunteers provided service for the event.

Zhang said she was impressed by some details in the organization of the event.

“There are very clear guiding services at the finish zone, including signs telling you which booth is for sports drinks and which is for plain water so as to meet different needs. I also received a short message weather reminder before the race, reminding runners to prepare for the heat,” she said.

Starting from last year, runners have been arranged to hit the road in two batches. This year, the time gap was increased from five minutes to 15. The first batch of runners left the start line at 7am, and the second batch at 7:15am.

“The adjustment was made to further improve runners’ experience, giving them a more comfortable and spacious environment when hitting the road,” Zhou said.

The men’s race was won by Kenya’s Geoffrey Kimutai Koech, clocking in at 1 hour 3 minutes and 16 seconds. He was followed by compatriot Albert Kipkosgei Kangogo (1:03:20) and Abera Ketema Tilahun (1:05:03) from Ethiopia.

Dong Jun / SHINE

Ethiopian Haftamnesh Tesfay Haylu took the women’s crown at 1 hour 12 minutes and 32 seconds. She was followed by compatriots Wude Ayalew Yimer (1:12:33) and Yeshi Kalayu Chekole (1:12:37).

Over 800 security staff, 140 referees and nearly 1,600 volunteers provided service for the event.

The top 600 male and 300 female runners will win direct entry into the 2018 Shanghai International Marathon in November.