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Yating Yang

A half-marathon in northeastern China has garnered widespread attention after announcing that the winner would receive a cow as a prize, alongside other rewards such as wild fish, chickens, and ducks.
These unconventional prizes have sparked significant interest, with many expressing enthusiasm about participating in the event.
On December 3, Chongqing Daily News Group reported that a race event took place in Nong’an county, Changchun, Jilin province.
The event featured two categories: a half-marathon and a 5-km health run.
According to the competition rules, the top 50 finishers in the half-marathon would receive a combination of cash and other prizes. The champion would be awarded a cow, while the first and second runners-up would receive valuable wild fish.

Participants placing fourth to 20th would be given a goose or rooster, and those finishing after the 30th spot would take home 10kg of rice or whole wheat flour.
The event organiser further explained: “Indeed, the top prize this year is a cow. Last year, we offered wild fish as the top prize, with second place winners receiving chickens and ducks.”
“To make this year more special, the champion has the option to either take the cow home or exchange it for 6,000 yuan (US$820) in cash.”
The organiser also noted that the prizes were selected to reflect local agricultural products, adding a regional flavour to the event while enhancing its appeal.
“The enthusiasm for registration has been remarkable, with many participants expressing interest in these unique prizes,” the organiser added.
The Chinese public has increasingly embraced healthier lifestyles and shown a growing interest in participating in marathons, drawn by their strong social and interactive aspects, which resonate with sports enthusiasts.

According to the “2023 China Road Running Races Blue Book” released by the Chinese Athletics Association, a total of 622 marathons and half marathons were held nationwide last year, averaging nearly two events per day.
This trend has expanded beyond major cities like Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu, with smaller third- and fourth-tier cities, and even counties with populations of only a few hundred thousand, now organising races of varying scales.
These organising committees are increasingly incorporating local elements into this modern fitness trend.
Last month, the Lu’an Marathon in Anhui province in eastern China awarded live geese to the top 18 finishers as prizes.
Similarly, last year, the “Village Super League” football finals in Guizhou featured a variety of local specialties during the award ceremony, including chickens, geese, sheep, pigs, and cows.

These unique prizes have captured significant attention among Chinese netizens, with many praising them as a “creative approach”.
One viewer commented: “Winning and taking home a cow would feel incredibly rewarding and certainly make you the centre of attention on social media.”
However, some netizens raised practical concerns: “If someone from out of town wins, how would they take a cow home? They can’t just drag it onto the train!”
Another added: “Using local specialties as prizes is definitely creative, but if the winner is from another city, perhaps they need to buy a high-speed train ticket for the cow?”


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The Chinese public is increasingly adopting healthier lifestyles, with a rising interest in marathons and the recent distinctive cow prize boosting registration. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/Pixaby

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