The Ayutthaya Marathon 2025, held on Sunday in Thailand’s historic city of Ayutthaya, marked a significant milestone in celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations between China and Thailand. Organized by China Daily, the RVi Group, the Ayutthaya Government, the Ayutthaya Tourist Business Association, and the Ayutthaya Running Club, the event highlighted the cultural richness of this UNESCO World Heritage Site while promoting sports tourism globally. The marathon featured four categories: a full marathon, a 21.1-kilometer half-marathon, a 10-kilometer challenge, and a 5-kilometer fun run. Participants from China, Myanmar, Singapore, the United States, and other countries ran past iconic landmarks such as Wat Phra Si Sanphet, Wat Mahathat, Wat Ratchaburana, and Wihan Phra Mongkhon Bophit, starting and finishing at the Old Ayutthaya Provincial Hall. Chuanin Wongsatitjirakan, Governor of Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya Province, emphasized the event’s role in boosting tourism and stimulating the local economy. Zhou Li, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of China Daily, underscored the importance of cultural collaboration in strengthening people-to-people ties, particularly on the 50th anniversary of Sino-Thai diplomatic relations. The marathon’s theme, ‘Celebrating Thailand-China Friendship Through Sports and Culture,’ reflected the enduring partnership between the two nations. Additional activities, including a tourism campaign by China’s Yunnan province, further enriched the event. Eaindray Phuu, a 15-year-old student from Myanmar, shared her excitement about participating in her first marathon and exploring Ayutthaya’s historical sites. The event’s mascots, an elephant and a giant panda, symbolized the cultural bond between Thailand and China, inspiring participants like Phuu to express interest in visiting China.