MALE, Sept. 27 (Xinhua) -- The 2024 Laamu-Xiamen Marathon was held on Friday at Laamu Link Road in Laamu Atoll, the Maldives, attracting more than 500 participants from six countries, including the Maldives, China, Nepal, Bangladesh, India and Australia.

Abdulla Rafiu, Maldivian Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, said in his address that the marathon will strengthen culture and people-to-people exchanges between the Maldives and China, bringing the peoples of the two countries closer to each other.

"The Laamu Link Road project is a key project under the Belt and Road Initiative. We hope that holding the marathon on this road will enhance the friendship and cultural exchanges between the peoples of the two countries. We also hope that the cooperation achievements under the China-Maldives 'Belt and Road' initiative will bring more benefits to the Maldivian people and further promote the development of bilateral relations," said Wang Lixin, Chinese Ambassador to the Maldives.

The event included categories of half marathon, 10km, 5km and kids for fun, with Maldivian athletes Ahmed Ali and Mariyam Shizaana winning the men's and women's half marathons respectively.

"I am so excited to get the first place, and today I bring my two daughters to participate in 5km game, and they say they also want to travel to China with me. Sports has always been my passion, and with this road built by China, I can run marathon in my hometown, making me feel closer to my dreams," Shizaana said.

The event was organized by Laamu Atoll Council with support from the Chinese Embassy in the Maldives and the Xiamen Municipal People's Government. Enditem

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