SCO Kunming Marathon draws people closer, friendlier, and more united

From the grandstand, Secretary-General Alimov embraced fellow attendees in the customary fashion of Eurasian nations, sharing in the collective excitement of the moment. Though it was only the opening ceremony, the atmosphere brimmed with anticipation, as if the finish line had already been crossed and the event declared a resounding success.

Everyone was confident that the first SCO Marathon in history would be a complete success!

At the post-race gala, Secretary-General Alimov was visibly excited. In his signature oratorical style, he extended warm congratulations on the successful launch of the inaugural SCO Marathon. He sincerely thanked the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Chinese Athletics Association, the SCO diplomats in attendance, the governments of Yunnan province and Kunming city, all departments involved in supporting the event, medical and safety personnel, the volunteer teams, athletes and marathon enthusiasts from across SCO countries, and the event operations team. As an elder figure, he also extended his heartfelt blessings to the newlywed couple who had begun their married life with a run on the racecourse.

The event's success also owed much to the strong support of the media. Secretary-General Alimov expressed high appreciation for the efforts of journalists from across SCO countries, including a full live broadcast by CCTV Sports Channel, in-depth coverage by Russia's TASS News Agency, and widespread reporting by both print and online media outlets throughout the SCO region. The SCO Kunming Marathon's instant popularity and continued rise to prominence, along with its establishment as a unique brand, would not have been possible without the dedication of media professionals.

Amid the intensity and thrill of the competition, two light-hearted moments stood out. First was the display of running prowess by SCO country ambassadors to China. Since the inaugural SCO Kunming Marathon, ambassadors and distinguished guests invited to observe the event have, after the official runners set off, run several hundred meters of what has come to be known as the "SCO Stretch". They then proceed to Haigeng Dam to feed the red-billed gulls, which was a scene that may be considered a trademark "standard component" of the SCO Kunming Marathon.

On Haigeng Dam, the ambassadors, typically reserved and composed, enjoyed a rare moment of levity. They laughed and ran, bird feed in hand, as red-billed gulls swooped down to compete for treats. It was as if the gulls had become the true stars of the event, dancing through the air to delight their generously fed guests. The diplomats, freed from their formal routines, seemed to rediscover a childlike joy.

Several ambassadors also registered as official participants, eager to show their athleticism—most notably the Nepalese Ambassador to China, Leela Mani Paudyal. Fit and clearly accustomed to regular exercise, he had initially planned to register for the half-marathon or the 10km race. However, due to scheduling conflicts after the race, he opted for the 5km mini-run instead and completed the high-altitude course with ease.

Another memorable moment came when Secretary-General Alimov, the ambassadors, and other guests were running together and having a great time when suddenly, Secretary-General Alimov's young grandson went "missing". The Secretary-General had originally brought his grandson to the starting ceremony. When the starting pistol fired, the boy enthusiastically rushed onto the course with his grandfather and, in the blink of an eye, vanished into the crowd. After completing the "SCO Stretch" and feeding the red-billed gulls at Haigeng Dam, Secretary-General Alimov visited the broadcasting van to greet the live-stream crew. Just then, his wife called anxiously to ask if their grandson was with him. It was only at that moment that the Secretary-General remembered his beloved grandson. He looked around in all directions, only to find the child was nowhere in sight.

The Secretary-General's grandson had gone missing. How could one not be worried?

As it happened, the head of event security was also in the broadcast van. While comforting the Secretary-General, he asked for the child's description and whether there was a photo on the Secretary-General's phone. At the same time, he immediately issued a search order to the security team. Within just a few minutes, a message came through on the radio: the boy had been found happily running along the racecourse seven kilometers from the starting line! Police officers were already on their way to escort him back.

A great weight was lifted. The Secretary-General was full of praise for the Chinese team's efficiency, remarking that China truly lives up to its reputation as the safest country in the world, and that its facial recognition technology is genuinely impressive.

When the grandparents were finally reunited with their grandson, they asked why he had run so far. With innocent sincerity, he replied that he wanted to reach the finish line and get a finisher's medal. In the end, he happily got exactly what he wished for.