The Hangzhou Qiantang Women's Half Marathon commences on April 21 with 12,000 female runners participating. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The Hangzhou Qiantang Women's Half Marathon commenced at 7 am on the morning of April 21, as 12,000 female runners from across the country took to the racecourse.

Starting from the picturesque banks of the Qiantang River, the route traversed through notable locales such as university town and wetland park, showcasing the natural beauty and cultural charm of Qiantang district.

The winner was Zheng Xiaoqian from the nearby city of Jinhua, known as the 'Jinhua Deer' for her dexterity.

"The entire course was very comfortable, and the weather was cool, making for a smooth start. I felt relaxed even at the 8-kilometer mark and took the lead," Zheng said.

She also expressed high hopes for the next edition. "I want to run on comfortable tracks like this more often, and I hope I can do even better in the next race."

In addition to the half marathon, the event also featured a 3.5-km mini run and a family run.

During this year's event, the number of visitors to Qiantang district increased by 181 percent compared to the previous year, with tourism revenue skyrocketing by 150 percent.

The route traverses through a variety of notable locales in Qiantang district. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]