The first Ningxia Yinchuan International Marathon kicked off in Yinchuan city of Northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region on Sunday, with Kenyan runners winning both men's and women's titles.

Bethwel Biwott Yegon took the men's crown in 2:24:00, while Cheboi Consolata Jepkosgei snatched the women's title in 2:54:15.

According to the local organizers, the event featured marathon, half marathon and mini-marathon, attracting some 20,000 runners from 41 countries and regions, including Kenya, the United States, France, Denmark and Albania.

The male runners from Kenya swept the top three places while Lu Chunyang and Mei Ying, both from the hosts, placed second and third respectively in the women's event.