ULAN BATOR, May 18 (Xinhua) -- The 2019 Ulan Bator International Marathon, the sixth edition of its kind in Mongolia's capital, took place here Saturday, with more than 30,000 participating in the event.
"Today, physical inactivity is a major cause of many diseases in the world. So, we are organizing this marathon for the sixth time, with the aim to encourage people to play sports and follow healthy lifestyle habits," Shijirbaatar Ankhmaa, deputy mayor of the Mongolian capital, told Xinhua during the marathon.
Over 30,000 people aged 2-87 from 29 countries and regions competed at six categories, including half marathon, full marathon, family marathon and wheelchair marathon.
87-year-old Banchin Buriad is the oldest runner of the international marathon.
"I started running in my 20s. I believe that physical activity is the basis for a healthy life," said Buriad, who participated in the marathon for the sixth time.
Kenyan athlete Koros Kenneth won full marathon in men's race for the first time while Mongolian long-distance runner Bayartsogt Munkhzaya took first place in women's full marathon for the fifth year in a row.
In addition, the Mongolian capital on this day closed its main roads off to motors, and opened them up to pedestrians and bikers to promote physical activity.
