China's Liu Hongliang breaks Beijing Half Marathon record

China's Liu Hongliang has claimed the title for the 2019 Beijing Half Marathon with a record time of 1:05:24 on Saturday morning, followed by two Kenyan runners in second and third place in the men's competition.

Liu Hongliang (left) was the first across the finish line for the 2019 Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday, April 14, 2019. [Photo: Xinhua/Ju Huanzong]

Chernet Misganaw Takele from Ethiopia took the title in the women's competition with a 1:12:21. Ma Yugui and Jiao Anjing from China came in second and third with a 1:12:31 and a 1:18:47.

Runners taking part in the 2019 Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday, April 14, 2019. [Photo: IC]

Twenty thousand people joined the event in China's capital. They started the race at 7 a.m. at Tian'anmen Square and finished at the Beijing Olympic Park.

Runners taking part in the 2019 Beijing Half Marathon on Sunday, April 14, 2019. [Photo: IC]

The Beijing Half Marathon is a fitness-for-all event with a 63 year history. It has been named the Chinese Athletics Association top event in 2016 and 2017.