Over 21,000 runners compete in 2017 Beijing International Running Festival

Over 21,000 people from 12 countries join the Beijing International Running Festival on Sunday, April 16, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Wang Lei]

Over 21,000 people from 12 countries joined the Beijing International Running Festival, which was held on Sunday in the heart of the Chinese capital.

The half-marathon race began at Tian'anmen Square early on Sunday. The finish line was at the Olympic Park in the northern part of the city.

Over 21,000 people from 12 countries join the Beijing International Running Festival on Sunday, April 16, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Wang Lei]

In the men's competition, Philip Kimaiyo from Kenya was the fastest with 1:11'22". Tanzania's Sisilia Ginoka won the womens competition by covering the 21-kilometer distance in 1:15'.

There was also a "family run" where participants ran a 420-meter course around the starting point. 

People attend a “family run” where participants run a 420-meter course around the starting point of the Beijing International Running Festival on Sunday, April 16, 2017. [Photo: China Plus/Wang Lei]

Launched in 1956, the festival is one of the capital's most popular sporting events. Face recognition technology was used for the first time this year to identify runners more accurately, preventing cheating.

The number of participants has grown steadily in recent years, reflecting the rising popularity of running in China.