Intl runners praise Suzhou Creek views, Shanghai's sports vibe

The 2026 Shanghai Suzhou Creek Half Marathon wrapped up in Putuo district on March 28, attracting 7,000 runners from 14 countries and regions to compete along the historic Suzhou Creek.

Covering a distance of 21.1 kilometers, the race started from Changshou Road, passed iconic landmarks such as the Shanghai Mint Museum, Shanghai Banknote Printing Facility, Global Harbor, and Changfeng Park, and finished at the Suzhou Creek Half Marathon Park.

"The race services are great: plenty of water, friendly staff, and clear guidance along the route," Paul Francis Pemberton from Australia said.

Pemberton has lived in Shanghai for about six or seven years. He is a kindergarten teacher at an international school and a member of the RunnersHai Running Club.

"I really like Shanghai. It's a bustling city with lots going on, and it's always fun to take part in races here," he said. "Shanghai's sports scene is booming and developing quickly. I also cycle and swim, and I've noticed more people riding bikes, more people running, and busy swimming pools. It's really encouraging."

"This was my first time running the Shanghai Suzhou Creek Half Marathon, and it was amazing. I set a new personal record, and I'm very satisfied," Rambau Dietmar from Germany, who has lived and worked in Shanghai's automotive industry for more than three years, said.

"Shanghai's skyline is beautiful. Everywhere you look is stunning, and people were screaming 'jia you' all the time," he said. "The weather today was fantastic, and the crowd and atmosphere made the course a pleasure to run."

German runner David Renz, who has lived in the city for six years, agreed.

"Cycling really took off in Shanghai over the past few years, but now it's all about running," Renz said. "You see so many people jogging along Suzhou Creek that it feels like the whole city has become more active."

Li Junfeng contributed to this story.