On March 29, the 2026 Yangzhou Half Marathon and East Asian Half Marathon Championships commenced, attracting 23,000 participants from across the region for its inaugural "Platinum Label" debut. To ensure the event proceeded smoothly, the Urban Management Bureau of Hanjiang District in Yangzhou executed comprehensive services covering urban appearance refinement, environmental sanitation, and full-process support before, during, and after the race. A coordinated effort by urban enforcement personnel and sanitation workers showcased both efficiency and attentiveness in city management, reflecting dedication and responsibility through immediate cleanup operations.
The sanitation team implemented a three-tier mechanism—deep cleaning before the race, dynamic maintenance during the event, and rapid clearance afterward—applying meticulous management throughout. Preparations began half a month in advance, with daily cleaning standards including three rounds of sweeping, three rounds of flushing, and two rounds of waste removal along the entire route, focusing on pavement gaps, green belts, and street furniture. By 4:00 AM on March 29, cleaning along the course was completed, and large machinery was withdrawn on standby.
During the marathon, sufficient sanitation staff conducted patrols, with workers stationed beside each trash collection point equipped with black garbage bags to clear waste in the intervals after runners passed. Additional measures included enhanced cleaning of public toilets and bins along the route, with suction trucks and compactors on standby at start and finish points. A 20-member emergency team with collection vehicles and tools was also positioned nearby.
Post-race cleanup followed a phased approach based on road reopening schedules: the first team cleared trash manually in real time, the second team managed waste collection, compression, and transport, and the third team carried out deep cleaning with machinery. The process ensured that areas were restored within 30 minutes after reopening, followed by a return to routine maintenance.
At 7:30 AM on March 29, a volunteer team comprising 72 party members, officials, and young volunteers from the district’s Urban Management Bureau collaborated with local street-level departments to station key points along Pingshantang West Road, Hanjiang North Road, Wenchang West Road, and the finish line. With clearly assigned roles and designated zones, the team conducted dynamic inspections, maintained order, and provided guidance to spectators and participants. Urban management officers patrolled in pairs, directing non-motorized and shared bicycle parking, gently reminding spectators to observe the race courteously, and assisting in the orderly dispersal of runners after the event.
Following the race, the course was swiftly restored. By 12:30 PM, disposable cups, water bottles, promotional materials, and other waste at the finish line near Guotai Plaza were sorted, collected, and removed, with mobile bins retrieved and road washing and sweeping completed—marking the full conclusion of sanitation operations for the Yangzhou Half Marathon.
In total, the event mobilized 260 sanitation workers and 21 mechanical vehicles, resulting in the removal of 28 tons of general waste and 17 tons of recyclables. As the efficiency demonstrated during the marathon extended to the city's streets, Hanjiang District showcased sophisticated urban governance through a swift, one-hour cleanup, leaving the city spotless and renewed—a welcoming gesture inviting runners from near and far to return next year.
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