The 2018 Wuxi High-tech Park Race, the first station of China High-tech Park International Marathon, kicks off in Wuxi Hi-tech district on May 6. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2018 Wuxi High-tech Park Race, the first station of China High-tech Park International Marathon, began in Wuxi Hi-tech district on May 6 against the rain.

Sponsored by the national magazine Science & Technology Industrial Parks and the administration of the Wuxi Hi-tech district, the 2018 Wuxi High-tech Park Race attracted over 3,000 elites from 168 national hi-tech zones around the nation.

The Wuxi High-tech district, which houses the national IOT innovation demonstration zone and the national innovation park, made use of various tech items during the marathon, including timing chips, devices that can detect bacteria on sports towels, heart rate bracelets, and a bag deposit system.

Runners passed through five high-tech parks, including Wuxi Software Park (iPark), China Sensor Network International Innovation Park, China (Wuxi) University Sensing Network Technology Park, Zhongguancun Software Park and Tian'an Intelligent Park.

The torch station of the 2018 Wuxi High-tech Park Race is made by 3D print technology and will be kept after the marathon as a landmark of Wuxi Hi-tech district.

With a theme of technological innovation, the China High-tech Park International Marathon seeks to become a platform for information and new communication and exchanging techniques for the high-tech industry.

The China High-tech Park International Marathon will be held in five other cities in China and abroad, including Qiqihaer city in Northeast China's Heilongjiang province, Baotou in Inner Mongolia autonomous region, and even in the birthplace of the marathon—Athens.