Runners participate in the first Xianxia Lake Half Marathon in Suichang county on April 18. [Photo/WeChat account: ls-mnews]

The first Xianxia Lake Half Marathon was held in Suichang county – administered by Lishui city, in East China's Zhejiang province – on April 18, according to reports in the local media.

Nearly 1,200 runners from 18 provinces and cities across the country enjoyed the beauty of Xianxia Lake.

The event innovatively used digital and intelligent technologies, providing runners with a customized chip-based platform that could perform accurate timing and positioning functions and monitor the flow of runners.

The half marathon also attracted groups of runners from Alibaba, Netease, CETHIK, JSG, Qianxun SI and other companies that have established branches at Digital Green Valley in Suichang.

A panoramic view of Xianxia Lake from above. [Photo/WeChat account: ls-mnews]

"It is exciting to develop the digital economy in this most beautiful place. Suichang has satisfied my yearning for the integrated development of the environment and the digital economy," said Qu Tao, a runner from Qianxun SI.

Xianxia Lake covers a total water area of 32 square kilometers, with the total length of the race stretching 21.0975 kilometers.

The Xianxia Lake water sports center also staged sports events including yachting and canoeing, as well as offering traditional local dishes such as zongzi and yellow rice cake to participants.