In the "Exciting Hangzhou" Marathon, Race Walking World Championships & Asian Games Trials held on Wentao Road in Binjiang District on April 17, Shanxi Competitor Wen Yongjie and Shandong Competitor Ma Zhenxia won the champion of men's and women's 10km race walking respectively.

Due to the nature of the race and the necessity for COVID-19 pandemic prevention & control, the race featured a galaxy of top competitors. In addition to the medalists for the individual events of the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships 2022, top ranking athletes of various classes (top 15 of men's 50km, top 5 of men's 35km, top 15 of men’s 20km, top 5 of men's 10km, top 5 of women's 35km, top 20 of women's 20km, and top 5 of women’s 10km) also attended the race.

Although 10km race walking is not the official event for Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, the results of the race will be one of the indicators for appraising the individual performance and may play a critical role in determining the athletes' qualification for participating in Asian Games Hangzhou 2022. Therefore, all athletes went all out for their best performance in the race.

"Today, I maintained a good tempo during the race, and the tracks are good enough," said Ma Zhenxia excitedly after finishing her personal best with a score of 0:42:52. She said she was only putting on intensity, never expected of such a good performance and owed her success partly to the comfortable track and good weather.

Although Chinese Team has not yet decided its participating athletes for the race walking for Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, Ma was full of hopes. "I wish I can keep a good status in the coming training and competitions," she said, "Every athlete wants to be the champion in any race."

Like Ma, Wen Yongjie also held that the good site and weather conditions guaranteed good results for the athletes. "I was in a very good condition today. My confidence was greatly boosted after I claimed the title. I am now looking forward to the future races." he said.

According to relevant person in charge of the Sports Department of HAGOC, 50km race walking will be excluded from the upcoming Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, as was also the case in the Olympic Games. The official events for race walking include men's/women's 20km individual and men's /women's 35km team.