Chinese athletes prepare for marathon at Bird's Nest

(BEIJING, April 19) -- The Bird's Nest is ready for the April 20 "Good Luck Beijing" 2008 Marathon, the organizing committee said on Monday, April 14.

The route of the marathon will be the same as the Olympic route, starting at Tian'anmen Square and ending at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest. Runners will pass the scenic districts of Xuanwu, Dongcheng, Chongwen, Xicheng, Haidian and Chaoyang.

Li Jinkang, Vice-President of BOCOG and director of the BOCOG Olympic Marathon Operation Team, said during the press conference that 116 athletes of China, Japan, Britain, Republic of Korea and Mongolia have applied to compete in tomorrow's race and 1,196 reporters with 203 media outlets will be on hand to cover the event.

Shen Chunde, Vice-President of BOCOG and deputy director of BOCOG Olympic Marathon Operation Team, said that the route is flat, which guarantees better performance for athletes, as well as scenic. Athletes will be able to see Peking and Tsinghua Universities, he said, as well as historic sites like the Temple of Heaven.