In July, the number of marathon events across mainland China is very low — only five.

They are:

Ningxia Guyuan Pengyang Half Marathon
Liupanshui Marathon
Baiyin Pingchuan Half Marathon
Linzhi Half Marathon
Xiahe Ganjia Secret Realm Plateau Half Marathon

The most notable is the Liupanshui Marathon: with a substantial prize increase, the full-marathon prizes are 40,000 for the winner, 30,000 for 2nd, 25,000 for 3rd, 20,000 for 4th, 15,000 for 5th, and 10,000 for 6th; the half-marathon prizes are 30,000 for the winner, 20,000 for 2nd, 15,000 for 3rd, and 10,000 for 4th — sure to attract many elite runners.

July is hot across the country; the fact that these places can host marathons — does that, in another sense, mean they are all summer retreats?