The Harbin Bank 2017 International Harbin Marathon was held in Harbin on Aug 26, with Shangri-La Hotels acting as a sponsor.

Jointly organized by the Chinese Athletic Association, Heilongjiang Provincial Sports Bureau and Harbin municipal government, the Harbin marathon is the largest and most influential outdoor sports event in Harbin.

Two Shangri-La hotels in Harbin sponsored this year’s marathon, setting up refreshment stations and carnival exhibition booths.

The Harbin Shangri-La hotels began preparatory work for the marathon early.

Western restaurants in the hotels cooked thousands of loaves of bread in advance for marathon participants to replenish their strength during the race.

A total of 106 staff members from the local Shangri-La hotels also participated in the mini-marathon, with 20 women dressed in wedding dresses to promote the hotels’ wedding services.

The company also set up exhibition booths at the finishing-line of the half-marathon race. Marathon participants and residents can scan a QR code to learn more about Shangri-La Hotels’ services, and join in interactive activities.

Staff members from Harbin Shangri-La hotels pose for a group photo after completing a mini-marathon for the Harbin Bank 2017 International Harbin Marathon on Aug 26. [Photo/China Daily]

Staff members from Shangri-La Hotels prepare refreshment stations during the Harbin Bank 2017 International Harbin Marathon held in Harbin on Aug 26. [Photo/China Daily]

A cook from Shangri-La Hotels provides a free breakfast for sanitation workers on Aug 26. [Photo/China Daily]