Shanghai Toray Cup: Marathon registration open

If you've caught Golden Grand Prix excitement, you may want to try your hand (well, your feet) at Shanghai's Toray Cup. The international race offers a full and half marathon, as well as a health race for the shorter winded. Of course, Usain Bolt won't be there, but you can consider it training for your shot at next year's Grand Prix, or even the 2010 Asian Games.

From examiner.com:

Organized by the Chinese Athletic Association and Shanghai Sports Association, the marathon comprises six races - men’s and women’s marathon, men’s and women’s half marathon and men’s and women’s health race, with the record of men’s marathon being 2:09:28 and the record of women’s marathon being 2:26:19.

The marathon has been successfully held 13 times since 1996. In 2008, the number of runners exceeded 21,000, including over 3,000 participants of marathon, over 6,000 participants of half marathon and over 10,000 participants of health race. Foreign participants accounted for 16 percent, and all the figures hit a record high.

The marathon will take place on Sunday, November 29, and is open to anyone over eighteen and in good health. If you're inclined but out of shape, then now is the time to start training! We're going to hit the gym, if we can find time to tear ourselves away from the computer- maybe.

More information about the race can be found at the Shanghai International Marathon's website, shmarathon.com