The 2020 Hangzhou Marathon is set to kick off on Nov 1, according to a schedule of international events recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), which was recently updated on the association's website.

The annual Hangzhou Marathon is regularly scheduled on the first Sunday of November, and this year turns out to be no exception.

Over the past 20 years, the event took place on the first Sunday of November 16 times.

Participants will be allowed to sign up for the event starting mid-July. The organizing committee has yet not released an official notice.

On July 12, 2019, IAAF awarded Gold Label status to the Hangzhou Marathon -- recognizing the annual event in the capital of Zhejiang province as one of the world's leading foot races. This made the Hangzhou Marathon the 12th event in China to join the world's most prestigious marathon league.

The Hangzhou Marathon was launched in 1987, making it the second oldest marathon in China. It has been named a Gold Label Road Race by the Chinese Athletic Association every year since 2014.

Runners set off during the 2019 Hangzhou Marathon. [Photo/zj.zjol.com.cn]