Although dominated by foreign athletes on the podium, the 2017 Beijing Marathon proved a victory on Sunday for mass fitness in China highlighted by rising enthusiasm and better event management, observers said.

African runners dominated the 37th Beijing Marathon of 42.195 kilometers from the start at the landmark Tian'anmen Square. Salah Bounasr of Morocco led the men's group in two hours 11 minutes and 18 seconds. Ethiopian Melesech Beyene finished first in the women's group in 2:27:44.

However, the roaring public passion in long-distance running, underlined by the sharp increase in the number of applicants to participate in the high-profile race, has made headlines against the backdrop of urban Chinese embracing sporting exercise as a lifestyle.