CHENGDU, China, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On March 22, 2026 Reignwood Chengdu World Heritage Marathon kicked off in Dujiangyan, a city boasting three world heritage sites. A total of 35,000 runners from 37 countries and regions worldwide gathered here, embracing spring and engaging in an in-depth dialogue with world heritage through running.
Hosted by Chengdu Municipal People's Government and certified by Chinese Athletics Association, the event featured marathon (15,000 participants) and half marathon (20,000 participants), with registration surging 63.96% year-on-year. Chinese athletes claimed all top honors: Qi Liansheng won the men's full marathon in 2:17:55 and Yang Xinyun the women's in 2:35:59; Xie Dongsheng and Zhang Kaiqin took the half marathon titles with 1:08:23 and 1:18:30 respectively.
The race, themed "Cherish the Millennium Weir, Run into Spring", wove Dujiangyan's ancient relics and spring scenery into the track, with a new section across Qingcheng Bridge offering stunning Min River views. The visual identity, blending local cultural elements and three signature city colors, and the heritage-inspired medal stood out, alongside six limited cultural derivatives that were well-received.
As the exclusive operator, Beiao Group elevated the event into an international benchmark, driving cultural and sports integration. As a municipal-level sports event operation platform in Beijing, Beiao Group adheres to the development guidelines of "professionalization, marketization, branding and internationalization". It is committed to converting the capital's resource advantages into development momentum, turning event traffic into consumption growth, and translating professional event operation capabilities into brand influence, thus making positive contributions to advancing Beijing-Sichuan cooperation. Beyond sports, the marathon boosted Dujiangyan's economy, with merchants offering exclusive discounts to runners via their race bibs, fueling a boom in tourism, catering and accommodation.
Technological innovation was a highlight, with the AI agent QS-Claw integrating nine functions to realize full-link intelligent management. Meticulous support included 6 shuttle lines, over 5,000 volunteers, 25 medical stations, 99 mobile medical points, 28 ambulances and 130 AEDs, ensuring a safe and smooth experience. Unique on-track highlights like cultural performances and panda-themed booths added to the festive atmosphere, while lucky runners received handcrafted gifts from local students.
The marathon has become a powerful engine for Dujiangyan's development, upgrading its urban services and brand influence. The city extended an open invitation to global runners for the next year's race, promising another extraordinary running feast in the world heritage destination.
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2026 Reignwood Chengdu World Heritage Marathon Ignites Dujiangyan
HONG KONG, March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As cities push toward net-zero emissions, Hong Kong is tightening building regulations and accelerating retrofits under the BEAM Plus framework. Higher expectations for energy performance and lower refrigerant GWP are reshaping HVAC standards. In a dense urban environment with limited plant rooms and constrained rooftops, conventional VRF systems often face installation challenges. Hitachi Cooling & Heating addresses these demands with VRF solutions designed for efficiency, flexibility, and alignment with BEAM Plus requirements.
air365 Max and air365 Max Pro address these evolving building needs by delivering best‑in‑class energy efficiency that supports BEAM Plus Gold and Platinum aspirations. With EER levels up to 5.60 and COP up to 5.31, air365 Max Pro reduces the energy burden on entire building systems. Its advanced SmoothDrive 2.0 technology further enhances part‑load performance, cutting energy consumption by up to 39% at 33% load, reducing refrigerant usage by 10%, and contributing to a 47% decrease in seasonal energy use and CO2 emissions. These improvements ease pressure on complementary systems such as lighting, ventilation, and pumping, while reducing operational emissions.
Beyond performance metrics, air365 Max Pro is engineered for project‑wide simplicity. Architects and designers benefit from flexible system architecture, including single modules up to 28/30HP (HP/CO) and combinations up to 112/120HP (HP/CO), extended piping allowances, and a 200% connection ratio. Installers gain faster execution through NFC-enabled commissioning with airCloud Tap. Operators benefit from IoT monitoring, streamlined maintenance tools such as WRC and operation‑data memorization, plus stable comfort enabled by IAQ options, patented smart defrost, precise temperature control, and a wide operating range. Together, these strengths make air365 Max Pro ideal for government facilities, hospitals, and Class A commercial buildings prioritizing long‑term comfort, stability, and efficiency.
Complementing this high‑efficiency approach, air365 SideSmart, the world's first slim modular VRF, addresses Hong Kong's space constraints with an exclusive concept starting from just 1650×1050×420mm. A single 18HP module matches the capacity of conventional top‑discharge units while occupying far less space. Its modular design allows up to four interconnected units, delivering a maximum of 72HP (200kW cooling capacity), along with flexible configurations such as 48HP setups or Standard/Economic combinations ranging from 20HP to 72HP. Powered by exclusive Hitachi Cooling & Heating technology, air365 SideSmart achieves top-tier energy efficiency for its class.
This compact, scalable architecture makes air365 SideSmart particularly suited to Hong Kong's dense urban environment. It fits easily into tight plant rooms, low‑ceiling back‑of‑house areas, and retrofits where structural changes are limited, make it ideal for government buildings, malls, hospitals, and banks requiring upgrades within constrained spaces.
Global deployments highlight this adaptability: at Sambo Motors in Mexico, units were rooftop-installed without cranes, while a Colombian bank retrofit used air365 SideSmart with Set Free Mini systems to overcome airflow limits and achieve precise zone control. These cases mirror Hong Kong's need for space efficiency, zoning accuracy, and uninterrupted operation.
Looking ahead, Hitachi Cooling & Heating is advancing green building practices by aligning HVAC innovation with regulatory priorities and real-world constraints. Through solutions such as air365 Max Pro and air365 SideSmart, the company is helping create a practical pathway toward sustainable, high-performance buildings, supporting Hong Kong's drive to scale net-zero-ready infrastructure across both new developments and existing urban assets.
About Hitachi Cooling & Heating
Now part of the Bosch Home Comfort Group, Hitachi Cooling & Heating delivers advanced HVAC solutions built on over 90 years of expertise, enhancing indoor comfort, air quality, and energy efficiency. Guided by the principle "air is life," each product undergoes rigorous testing to ensure durability, reliability, and lasting performance for modern living and working environments.
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Hitachi Cooling & Heating Supports Hong Kong's Net-Zero Transition with BEAM Plus-Aligned VRF Solutions
