Runners pass the Tian'anmen Square during the HYX Beijing International Marathon, October 19, 2008. Nearly 30,000 participants took part in this annual marathon event.[Xinhua]

Runners compete in the Beijing marathon, the biggest sports event after the Beijing Olympic Games in the Chinese capital, October 19, 2008.[Xinhua]

The elite men set off first, the Kenyan runners led the field from the outset. Benjamin Kiptoo prevailed, in a time of 2 hours, 10 minutes and 14 seconds. He was followed by compatriots Chelimo Luka and Simon Wangai.

In the women's race, China's Bai Xue bettered her third place in 2007 winning in 2 hours, 26minutes and 47 seconds.

Marathon champion Bai Xue said, "I think the first half of my race was good, but I was much slower in the second half. "

Teammates Chen Rong and Zhang Yingying finished second and third, to stand alongside Bai Xue on the podium.

But it was truly a race for the people. After the elites finished, thousands more amateur runners poured into the Olympic Center, ending their race on the track of the stadium.

(CCTV October 20, 2008)