The Mengniu Baotou Marathon 2026 offered an autumn feast for thousands of runners on Sept 6.

Runners set off from Baotou Olympic Sports Center. [Photo/Baotou news network]

This year's race started at the Baotou Olympic Sports Center and passed iconic landmarks such as Alden Square, Saikhantal Urban Grassland, and the Hondlon River, allowing runners to immerse themselves in the city's charm.

The race adopted a new operating system that integrates cutting-edge technologies, including AI and computer vision, allowing runners to view key information, such as the race route and start/finish area, before the race. The system can also identify fall risks, detect violations such as race impersonation and bib transfer, and issue real-time alerts.

Baotou Marathon has now grown into one of the most distinctive marathon brands in northern China. The inaugural event in 2019 was rated a Bronze Label Event by the Chinese Athletics Association, ushering in a new era for sports development in Baotou. Between 2023 and 2025, 15 events were held, drawing 180,000 participants.