Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of natural environmental factors on the spatial distribution of marathon events in China, and to identify the suitable natural environmental factors for the marathon events. Methods: Geographic information system (GIS) spatial analysis tools were used to perform coupling analysis, e.g. overlap, neighborhood, intersection and buffer for terrain, climate, air quality, mountains and water resources with 342 marathon events held in China in 2018. Results: The results indicate that the spatial distribution of marathon events in China is negatively correlated with the elevation of the terrain (plain > hill > plateau > mountain > basin); climate (subtropical monsoon climate > temperate monsoon climate > temperate continental climate > tropical monsoon climate > plateau alpine climate), air quality (level 3 > level 2 > level 4 > level 1). Results indicate that buffer zones can protect water resources: there are 24 items in the buffer zone of river 0.5 km and lake 1 km, 131 items in the buffer zone of river 3 km and lake 5 km, 191 items in the buffer zone of river 5 km and lake 10 km, 298 items in the buffer zone of river 10 km and lake 20 km. Results indicate for mountain range buffer: 13 items in the 20 km buffer and 39 items in the 50 km buffer. Conclusions: Marathon events are more likely to be held on the third rung of China’s topography where a city has a typical landform (plains, basins, hills, or mountain) with good climate and air quality. Meanwhile a city with water and mountain resources for recreational events such as cross-country or obstacle course are essential. The contribution of this study is to systematically and intuitively reflect the influence of natural environment factors on the distribution of marathon events in China, and to provide evidence for the medium and long-term planning of marathon events in China, the selection of venues for different types of marathon events and how to attract participants.
Highlights
As an outdoor event, marathon running is influenced by natural environmental elements
They found thate air and surface temperature, solar radiation, humidity and wind speed all affected human thermal comfort, among which high humidity and low airflow aggravated human discomfort [11]; the impact of different natural environments on the participants’ physical and mental conditions, Xiaohua and Feng found that training on the plateau ensured stability during the race, and provided a solid psychological foundation [12]; Kosaka et al Study marathon runners and spectators are faced with the problem of high temperature and pressure, the COMfort FormulA and the Human Heat Balance model to evaluate potential Heat stress on marathon athletes, the results showed that the climate of
The aims of the present study were to: (a) use Geographic information system (GIS)-related spatial analysis tools to perform coupling analysis on marathon running in China which are recognized by the Chinese Athletic Association (CAA) from the perspective of terrain and topography, climate and air quality, and mountains and water resources in China; (b) explain the potential influencing reasons of natural environmental elements on the spatial distribution of marathon events in China; (c) discuss, from a public health perspective, why such natural environments are suitable for marathon events based on the underlying causes
Summary
Marathon running is influenced by natural environmental elements. The natural environment of Yan’an has obvious advantages, and the venue can be integrated into the natural landscape [9]; marathon runners’ motivation and cognition in natural environments, Peric et al selected the Fruska Gora marathon as the research object, and found that the major factors influencing the self-experience of marathon included the convenience of the activity tourism destination, the contribution of the activity to tourism development, and the natural environment [10]; Vanos, et al studied various factors affecting human thermal comfort during marathon by applying the human energy budget model They found thate air and surface temperature, solar radiation, humidity and wind speed all affected human thermal comfort, among which high humidity and low airflow aggravated human discomfort [11]; the impact of different natural environments on the participants’ physical and mental conditions, Xiaohua and Feng found that training on the plateau ensured stability during the race, and provided a solid psychological foundation [12]; Kosaka et al Study marathon runners and spectators are faced with the problem of high temperature and pressure, the COMfort FormulA and the Human Heat Balance model to evaluate potential Heat stress on marathon athletes, the results showed that the climate of
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
