The 2018 National Speed Skating Marathon was held in Harbin, the “Ice City” in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, on March 11.

340 skaters making up a total of 83 teams participated in the marathon, which was sponsored by the General Administration of Sports.

Harbin is the sixth station of the marathon, following Chengde and Zhangjiakou in Hebei province, Fushun in Liaoning province, Beijing, as well as Xinzhou in Shanxi province.

Female athletes could choose between a 5km race, a 6km race, and the 4km relay race; while the male athletes had the choice between a 5km race, a 10km race, as well as the 4km relay race.

The whole event, which started in December 2017, was aimed at establishing a platform to promote winter sports, encourage mass participation in ice and snow activities and to welcome the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

The Harbin station of the 2018 National Speed Skating Marathon is held in Harbin, the “Ice City” in Northeast China’s Heilongjiang province, on March 11. [Photo/Chinanews.com]