A runner flashes thumb's up signs as he goes through his paces at the 2017 Panjin Red Beach International Marathon in Northeast China's Liaoning province, Sept 2, 2017. [Photo/Zhao Zhigang]

Thousands of runners took part in the 2017 Panjin Red Beach International Marathon Saturday morning in Northeast China's Liaoning province.

The event comprised three competitions: a full marathon, a half marathon and a mini-marathon.

Participants could fully appreciate the nation's most beautiful landscapes of wetlands, a red beach, beds of green reeds, the ripples of golden rice paddies, and blue ocean along the track. It's earned the title of "the most beautiful marathon track in the world" by netizens.

The Chinese champions (one man and one woman) can take part in the Athens Marathon on November 12 and win a gold-plated olive branch from Greece, the birthplace of the marathon.