Ironman triathlon race in China's Zhuhai attracts participation of over 1,300 athletes

More than 1,300 athletes from nearly 30 countries and regions across the world competed in the two-day 2026 IRONMAN 70.3 Hengqin in Zhuhai City of south China's Guangdong Province which concluded on Sunday.

The event marked the first time that the world's premier long-distance triathlon series had been held in China's Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

It gathered professional athletes and outdoor sports enthusiasts from all over the world, including competitors from China, the United States, South Korea, Spain, Australia and Brazil, among others.

Chinese athletes Li Pengcheng and Chen Yixuan won the men's and women's first places, respectively, in the event.

An Ironman 70.3, also known as a Half Ironman, is one of a series of long-distance triathlon races organized by the World Triathlon Corporation (WTC). The "70.3" refers to the total distance in miles (113.0 km) covered in the race, consisting of a 1.2-mile (1.9 km) swim, a 56-mile (90 km) bike ride, and a 13.1-mile (21.1 km) run.

China's electricity consumption, a key barometer of economic activity, grew 6.1 percent year on year in the first two months of 2026, according to data released by the National Energy Administration (NEA) on Tuesday.

Data from the NEA revealed that China's total electricity consumption exceeded 1.65 trillion kilowatt-hours (kWh) from January to February.

By sector, electricity consumption in the primary industry rose 7.4 percent year on year. The secondary sector saw a 6.3 percent increase, driven largely by high-tech and equipment manufacturing industries, which recorded a robust 10.6 percent growth.

The tertiary sector consumed 8.3 percent more electricity compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, residential power use for both urban and rural residents increased by 2.7 percent.