Over 60 marathon, cross-country races canceled or postponed in China following ultramarathon tragedy

BEIJING, May 27 (Xinhua) -- More than 60 marathon and cross-country running races have been canceled or postponed across China amid rising safety concerns after inclement weather killed 21 participants during an ultramarathon race in the northwestern Gansu Province over the weekend.

Among the events are the "Silk Road" Ningxia Yinchuan Marathon, scheduled to take place this Sunday, and the Beijing 100 Ultra Trail Running Race (June 5-6), and the Lanzhou International Marathon (June 13).

21 long-distance runners died from hypothermia after hail, freezing rain and huge winds hit the Yellow River Shilin 100km Cross-Country race, held over mountainous terrain on May 22 at the Yellow River Stone Forest tourist site in Baiyin, Gansu.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, the General Administration of Sports of China convened an emergency meeting Sunday to urge officials at all levels of government to make safety a higher priority at major sporting events.

"This tragedy, I believe, will force all event organizers to pay more attention to the safety of participants in the future. The operation of marathons, as well as cross-country running events, will be more professional and reliable," said Lin Feng, a cross-country running lover, who owns a sports company himself.