At an altitude of 1,890 meters in Kunming, runners of diverse backgrounds stride together along the scenic trails beside Dianchi. Among them are 68-year-old Li Yun, pushing forward with perseverance; 8-year-old Chen Longyan, running toward growth; and dedication of medical runner Zhang Mingming, carrying both duty and passion. On the track of the SCO Kunming Marathon, the "Shanghai Spirit" is no longer an abstract slogan—it takes shape in every breath, in every determined footprint.

On November 30, the SCO Kunming Marathon will sound its starting gun. This race is more than a test of endurance; it is a dialogue across borders through the language of sport—a vibrant window through which the “Spring City” of Kunming opens itself to the world.

"I’ve been running marathons since I retired in 2016," said Li Yun, 68. Having completed more than thirty marathons including all five editions of the SCO Kunming Marathon—he smiled and said, "The most important thing is to run for health and happiness."

Marathon pacer Yu Wen echoed that sentiment: “The changes that sport brings to a person are obvious—it makes you more confident.” Through social media, she leads her followers in fitness training, inspiring more and more people to make exercise a part of their lives.

“Running a marathon is all about challenging yourself,” said Zhang Mingming, a post-1990s physician who served as a race medic at the 2022 SCO Kunming Marathon. During the competition, she not only had to finish her own race but also provide emergency care to runners suffering from cramps, heatstroke, or other symptoms.

Family run

Family running groups added warmth to the event. He Xuanying, who competed with her five-year-old son, said, “Running can help children develop perseverance; it’s a kind of growth for them.” She has promised her son that when he grows older, they will run a half marathon together. Shi Yonghui and his family, glowing after the parent-child run, shared, “I want to inspire my whole family to love this sport through my own passion.”

"I feel truly proud — through running, I have learned the value of perseverance." The words of 8-year-old Chen Longyan resonated deeply with many runners. This simple yet powerful statement captures what this event means to every participant.

Voices of participants

“The most beautiful track really lives up to its name—it’s dynamic and full of life! The boardwalk, the boats, Dianchi’s shimmering water, and tens of thousands of seagulls—what a sight for us runners!” 

“It’s awesome! A marathon right at my doorstep—I must take part and aim for my personal best.” 

“It is my first time in the Spring City. I hope to enjoy the beauty of Dianchi as I run and taste Yunnan’s famous dishes afterward.” 

Powerful Cheers

One of the most powerful cheers collected for the 2024 SCO Kunming Marathon captures runners’ determination: “Training, taking leave, traveling thousands of miles—all for these 42.195 kilometers!”

Another participant, @Adam (A Dang) from Kunming University of Science and Technology, wrote poetically: "Seagulls fly over hills so green; Spring blues the plateau scene; SCO gathers in Kunming's grace; Racing through Colorful Yunnan's space."

And from @Zhao Xiangyu, a playfully creative line: “No ‘Shang’ without excitement, with ‘He’ we move ahead; Run through ‘Kun’ming City, cross the Ma'rathon finish line!” The clever phrasing weaves together the characters of “SCO Kunming Marathon,” symbolizing the close emotional bonds among people from SCO member states.

Over the past decade, the SCO Kunming Marathon has witnessed countless drops of sweat and moments of laughter, and recorded stories of challenge and transcendence. Its meaning long ago transcended the realm of sport—it has become a vivid expression of unity and collaboration among SCO countries, a living example of building a closer SCO community of shared destiny.

The rhythm of running will never cease—just as the story of cooperation and development keeps moving forward. On November 30, let us meet again in the Spring City of Kunming, at 1,890 meters above sea level, to enjoy for openness and enthusiasm, and and together compose a harmonious symphony of cross-civilizational exchange.

This is Kunming—

a city racing forward to embrace the world.

在海拔1890米的昆明，不同肤色的跑者在滇池畔的赛道上奔跑。这里有68岁跑者李云的坚持，有8岁孩童陈龙嬿的成长，有医师跑者张明明的担当。在上合昆马的赛道上，“上海精神”不再抽象，而是化作每一次呼吸、每一步脚印。

11月30日，上合昆明马拉松即将鸣枪开跑。这场奔跑，不仅是一次挑战自我的旅程，更是一场以体育为纽带、跨越国界的对话，是“春城”昆明向世界展开的一扇活力窗口。

“我从2016年退休后就开始跑马拉松。”68岁的跑友李云已完成30多场马拉松，其中五届上合昆马都有他的身影。李云认为，“最重要的是跑出健康，跑出快乐。”

马拉松领跑员余雯对此深有同感：“运动对整个人的改变是显而易见的，运动让人变得更加自信。”她利用社交媒体带领网友进行综合体能训练，带动越来越多人参与体育运动。

“参加马拉松比赛最宝贵之处在于挑战自我。”90后医师跑友张明明是2022上合昆马的医师跑者，在比赛过程中，她不仅仅要完成个人赛程，还要为出现抽筋、中暑或其他状况的跑友进行急救。

亲子跑团为赛事增添了温馨色彩。何宣颖带着5岁的儿子参赛：“跑马能培养孩子坚韧不拔的毅力，对孩子来说是一种成长。”她已和儿子约定，等他长大一起跑半马。史永辉一家参加亲子跑后开心地分享：“想通过我的带动，让全家人都喜欢上这项运动。”

"我感到很自豪，在奔跑中我学到了坚持的意义。" 8岁的陈龙嬿说出了许多跑者的心声。她的这句话，道出了这场赛事对每个个体的意义。

参赛选手这么说

“这条最美赛道确实太美了，美丽而且灵动；步道、船只、滇池的水，上万只海鸥在嬉戏，美丽地跑者！”

“板扎得很！ 家门口的马拉松，必须参加，希望创造个人最好成绩。”

“第一次来到春城，希望在奔跑的途中领略滇池美景，赛后再尝尝云南的特色美食。” 

赛道加油语

“训练，请假，跨越千里万里，只为这42.195公里！”2024年上合昆马马拉松征集到的一条赛道加油语道出了跑者的决心。

另一位网友@昆明理工大学阿当 用诗句抒发情怀：“海鸥飞千山，春归高原蓝。上合聚昆明，奔跑彩云南。”

“无‘上’精彩，‘合’力向前，奔跑‘昆’城，跑‘马’冲线！” @赵翔宇 这条加油语巧妙融入了“上合昆马”四字，象征着这场赛事将上合组织各国人民的情感紧密相连。

十年来，上合昆明马拉松的赛道见证了无数汗水与欢笑，记录了无数挑战与超越。这场赛事的意义，早已超越体育本身，成为体现上合各国团结协作、构建更加紧密的上合命运共同体的生动实践。

奔跑的脚步不会停止，正如合作与发展的故事永远向前。11月30日，让我们相约春城昆明，在海拔1890米的高原上，共同感受一座城市的开放与热情，跑出不同文明交流互鉴的和谐乐章。

这里是昆明——

一座在奔跑中拥抱世界的城市。