Yichang Marathon achieves carbon neutrality

By Chen Zai

The 2026 GAC Motor Yichang Marathon has achieved carbon neutrality, according to the Yichang Forestry and Landscape Bureau.

The 2026 GAC Motor Yichang Marathon received a Carbon Neutrality Certificate.

A professional assessment put the event's greenhouse gas emissions at 102.86 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. These emissions were fully offset through the purchase of an equivalent amount of forestry carbon credits.

The marathon started at 7:30 a.m. on November 1 at Heping Park, drawing 16,000 runners from across China. The course linked landmarks including Finless Porpoise Square, Tianran Tower, Lighthouse Square, and the Olympic Sports Center, showcasing the city's mountain and river scenery.

The 2026 GAC Motor Yichang Marathon kicked off at 7:30 a.m. on November 1, drawing 16,000 runners from across China. Photo by Wu Yanling.

Wang Tao and Zhong Jiameng won the men's and women's full marathon titles, while Dai Haodong and Zhang Shuihua took the men's and women's half-marathon titles.

The forestry carbon credits were purchased through the E-lin Tanhui platform, Hubei's first online forestry carbon incentive platform. It serves carbon offsetting needs for large events and other activities. The credits originated from Houhe National Nature Reserve. The event received a Carbon Neutrality Certificate from the Yichang Forestry Research Institute.

Wang Tao, 32, from Lanzhou, Gansu Province, won the men's full marathon with a time of 2:16:08. Photo by Shi Gang.

This initiative offers a model for reducing the carbon footprint of other large regional events.