搜狐体育讯 Lhasa International Half Marathon Challenge was created in 2004 (with its original name Tibet International Half Marathon Challenge). In 2009, approved by the General Administration of Sports of China and TAR government, the event will be jointly held by the Tibet Sports Administration, the Chinese Athletic Association and Lhasa municipal government and will become a regular sport event of Lhasa.

　　2009 Lhasa International Half Marathon Challenge will display the unique charm of Plateau Marathon and “Persistence and Dream” pursuing of human beings. The event will publicize Tibet with a “Humanistic, natural and green” theme and introduce the unique snowy customs, cultural features, sports and tourism resources.

　　The event will adopt the newest competition rules approved and published by the Chinese Athletic Association. In addition to the conventional male and female half marathon and the 10km Marathon, there will also be a special 2km “Family Marathon” and “Enterprise Marathon” with the purpose to attract more marathon lovers. August is a golden time for Tibet tourism. Shoton Festival, a traditional Tibetan festival, falls in this month. More than 3,000 interested runners from around the world will gather here for this event; tourists can apply for participation of the “Family marathon” on site and experience the charm of plateau marathon,which is a big highlight for this event.

　　Tibet Plateau is named “The third world polar”. To hold marathon event on the “World Roof” is doubtlessly an opportunity for world marathon fans to display themselves and their courage to challenge human limit. The 2008 Beijing Olympic torch ascended the Everest successfully and for the first time it travelled to the top of the world. With consideration to the high altitude of the plateau and human limitations, the event will be reduced to 21.0975km, half of the original 42.195km. The event is a challenge to a 3,700m elevation rather than a physical marathon distance challenge .

　　“Lhasa International Half Marathon Challenge” will commit to creating a sport brand in western China, displaying the charm of this flouring developing area and its enterprising spirits. It will become a new spot light for Tibet to “go global”.

　　ⅡRoute Map of the Race

　　Ⅲ Event Design

　　1) 21km Half Marathon: any healthy long distance runners over 18 years of age can apply for participation.

　　2) 10km Marathon: any healthy long distance runners over 18 years of age can apply for participation.

　　3) 2km Family Marathon: from Potala Palace – Lingka, any family can apply for participation as in two in couple, three memebr family(parents + the only child) as well as four generations under one roof.

　　4) 2km enterprise Marathon: corporation as a unit to apply for participation with the purpose to enhance the enterprise cohesiveness and manifest its philosophy.

　　1. Meaning: under the background of sports industrialization, to form a “Sports+Culture+Tourism” economic mode and promote the development of the local economy.

　　2. Concept: “Humanistic+Green+Natural”

　　3. High in its profile and altitude: running on the world roof, andfeaturing participation and fun it is sure a brand human limit challening sport event. .

　　4. a Public event: actively promote the public participation, enhance the national cohesiveness and approchability.

　　5. Media focus: public sports, star participation, one of the world highest urban marathons.

　　6. The beautiful natural landscapes and grand human cultural heritages become an attractive landscape for this event.

　　Ⅴ Communications Phases:

　　The publicity work of the event will start in April 2009 and will accerarte its tempo and pace in due course with the progression of preparation. Follow-up reports will make 2009 Lhasa International Half Marathon Challenge a long-term topic.

　　1. Publicity before the event: April 23—August 19

　　2. Publicity during theevent : August 20---August 26

　　3.Publicity after the event: August 27---September 10

　　Ⅵ Publicity and Promotion

　　1）TV: news broadcast, topic news, broadcast or live broadcast (star and closing ceremony reports, event coverage, special programs, etc.)

　　2) Newspaper: press release, featured stories, special interviews, pictures, comments, in-depth reports, reports for exchange activities, etc, event’s special columns by media partners.

　　3) Network: web linkage, pictures linkage, news excerpt, on-line live or broadcast, news reports, event reports, video plays, BBS and interactive communities, event participant blogs, selection activities, etc.

　　4) Broadcasting: news reports, event reports, special interviews and reports, connecting the participants by phoneradio live broadcast, etc.

　　Ⅶ Media Services

　　The Organizing Committee will provide as considerate services as possible to the TV media to make the high-elevation broadcast smooth and successful.

　　1. TV broadcast equipment;

　　2. Satellite signals and mediavehicles

　　3.Four single-side station points will be set up atthe start and the finish, media interview points will be set up at drinking stations.

　　4.Application of the logo on the background board behind the podium at the start point, Logo on AD boards along the routes, Logo at various interview points, as well as logo on the background board at the finish .

　　5.With regard to requirement of the runner interviewees, the places and the contents of the interviews, please consult the the relative departments of the Tibet municipal government.

　　Contact:

　　2009 Lhasa International Half Marathon Challenge Organizing Committee---Beijing Office

　　Add: Room 2106, Floor 21st, Beiao Building, A-2, East Huixin Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing.

　　Contact person: LI Jun

　　Tel：86-10-84887097 86-0-13810146997

　　Fax：86-10-84640716

　　E-amil：lijun81928@yahoo.com.cn

　　l_marathon@sohu.com