A marathon for couples - and those hoping to meet a soulmate - was held in Pingtan on August 24, attracting many runners from the Chinese mainland, and more than 600 participants from across the Taiwan Straits.

The marathon was divided into four categories: the full marathon, half-marathon, 5-kilometer marathon, and a 3-kilometer marathon especially for single people.

Wu Shankuan, from Xiamen city, ran barefoot and won the full marathon with a result of one hour, 30 minutes and 23 seconds.

Several couples said that they felt closer than ever to their significant other.

A woman surnamed Lin said that her partner had agreed to run with her only because she had urged him to do so.

Her partner, Chen Hua, said that the event meant a lot to them, and that it was a "special happiness and sweet" to run with your loved one and to reach the finishing line.

Another woman - surnamed Huang and from Zhangzhou city - and her boyfriend won the couples title.

She said that she has not run much since she started to work in Pingtan, and that she got a little tired after three kilometers – and would have probably abandoned the race without the support of her partner.

Edited by Chen Zhilin and Niva Whyman