On Sunday morning 26,000 runners participated in the 15th Shanghai International Marathon, running either in the full marathon of 42.195km, a half-marathon, or a fun run. The event saw a 20% growth in participation this year, with 6,000 people registered for the full marathon and 8,500 for the half-marathon. Foreigner participation grew by 51% (to about 21% of total registrants), setting a record for foreign participation in a Chinese marathon. A Kenyan (Chinese press are just calling him "Willy") took first prize in the full marathon with a time of 2:10:21. Chinese teenager Zhao Ran won the half-marathon with a time of 1:05:29. more ›

Other than the Toray Cup Marathon, the Jinqiao 8k race is the other event Shanghai runners can look forward to every year "rain or shine". Now in its tenth year, the Jinqiao race covers a full 8km event or the 2km fun run that's popular with families. Last year's race drew over 6,000 runners and 300 teams. more ›

"Be like Liu Xiang!" That was just one of the great lines the MC for the 2010 Toray Cup Shanghai Marathon had for the crowds as they gathered in front of Century Plaza for the 7:30am race. That and "Everyone is number one!", "Be youself" (no, that is not a typo) and "This is the human being spirit!" more ›

At least I hope that's what they call this video. My mom, who's been visiting the Expo every couple of weeks, and who most recently went before the doors had opened, first alerted me to this phenomena. more ›

Sunday morning, I was up bright and early in Pudong to witness the Jinqiao 8km Marathon - I say witness since just getting up at 8am on a Sunday morning took all my willpower. Running - heck, even a light jog - was out of the question. Thankfully, hundreds of people from all around Shanghai weren't quite as lazy. more ›

We've always been big fans of Liu Xiang, even when he was starring in really silly Coke commercials, even when he ruined the dreams and hopes of a billion people with his bum leg during the Beijing Olympics. So it comes as a great relief to us that he's back on top now, after his great showing at both the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix and China's 11th National Games. more ›

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. more ›

Back in 2007 Shanghaiist's Hélène survived the Great Wall Marathon. Following in her footsteps, we decided to give it a try. But we decided that running 21 k (the half marathon) was plenty exercise for us on a Saturday morning. more ›

First we heard that hurdler Liu Xiang (刘翔）would not likely recover from injury in time for world championships in August of this year, setting instead a target of returning for the Shanghai Grand Prix in September. Now, Team Liu seems to be prepping fans for the possibility that the one-time world record holder and former Olympic champion—whose failure to compete was China's biggest disappointment last August—might soon hang up his spikes for good. more ›

Former Olympic gold medalist hurdler and golden boy for millions of Chinese, Liu Xiang, limped off the track today, taking away with him the hopes of defending the gold and reclaiming his world record from Cuba's Dayron Robles. more ›

Now into its fifth year, M on the Bund’s Shanghai International Literary Festival kicks off this weekend and once again has an impressive line up featuring a string of famous names and expert figures from across the book world. Running for the next three weekends, the festival offers Shanghai’s literati the chance to see some of the best Chinese and international writers. With so many great events to choose from (you can buy tickets and view the full line-up here) it’s hard to select highlights, but below are Shanghaiist’s picks from this weekend’s guests… more ›

This World AIDS Day, we witnessed an extraordinarily well-coordinated effort by Chinese media to raise AIDS awareness among the populace and to communicate the resolve of the central government to win the battle against the disease. This small sampling of stories that appeared in state-run English-language media is enough to give you an idea of what went out on Chinese news: President Hu: HIV/AIDS not scary President Hu tells HIV carriers, communities not to be... more ›

This week's Adoptable Pet from Second Chance Animal Aid, Shanghaiist's adopted animal charity. From the SCAA: more ›

Shanghai-based Scandinavian photog 2 dogs began yesterday bright and early to bring us the action from the 2007 Toray Cup Shanghai International Marathon which saw 20,000 runners from 46 countries and regions gather here. The run flagged off at 7:30am. Some runners did the full 42 kilometre marathon, others did the 21 kilometre half marathon, and yet others chose to do the 4.5 kilometre fun run. The Toray Cup has been held in Shanghai since... more ›

For the first time in 17 months, China will raise wholesale price cap of gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, “to guarantee domestic supply of refined oil and promote energy conservation/为保证国内成品油供应，促进能源节约,” or so says the National Development and Reform Council. Per metric ton of all three refined products will go up 500 yuan, or roughly 10 percent, starting November 1. more ›

Right: A girl is robbed on the streets of Shenzhen, and passers-by are all running away. more ›

It was too much to watch something like this, kept me vomiting for a long time more ›

Have you (like us) waited until the last minute to get your Halloween costume even though back in September you promised yourself you'd start putting it together early this year? Not to worry. Shanghaiist has you covered. Here's a list of places to get pre-made Halloween costumes and accessories that we put together last year. We've given them a call and apparently they're all still up and running. If any of you finds any other great places for costumes, please email us at info AT shanghaiist DOT com and we will add them on to the list.

Holiday House: 1188 Panyu Lu, near Hongqiao lu (番禺路1188号，近虹桥路). Tel: 64477189, Open 9:30-6:00 pm (Sucky hours!). A kind of one-stop-shop for costumes for kids and adults and decorations. Staff speak English and can be pretty surly.

Shanghai Zhongbao Dress Ornament Co. Ltd.: No.99, Lane 2035 Wuzhong Lu (吴中路2035弄99号). Open until 9pm on weekdays and slightly different hours on the weekend (we suggest you call first). Tel: 64780825/54859199, Fax: 6419 3855, E-mail: zbxj@public8.sta.net.cn. Longer hours, wider adult selection and cheaper prices, but really far from downtown (expect a 40-50 kuai cab fare) and a little hard to find as Lane 2035 is hard to see, the street numbers are out of order and the "99" is spray painted on the wall, and it's a warehouse behind a gate. But it's worth the effort!

Nantai Costume Company: 181 Henan Zhong Lu, near Fuzhou Lu (河南中路181号，进福州路) Tel: 63238344. This place, five minutes west of the Bund outfits many of the local opera troupes and has the ambience of a factory store. Shelves are stacked with everything from tasseled platform slippers to stringy beards. Say hello to Chun Ge, the store's pet mynah bird -- he'll say ni hao back.

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... and the rumor-mill is running in overdrive. Recent reports suggest that Shanghai Party Chief Xi Jinping's (习近平) recent entry into the race - apparently at senior leader Zeng Qinghong's (曾庆红) insistence - has shaken things up; forcing Hu Jintao to make some last-minute maneuvering. more ›

Kitchen fetishists, we know you're out there: For those of you who enjoy cooking at home, now you can add sexy cookware to your kitchen arsenal. Pantry Magic, which calls itself Asia's favorite place for specialty kitchen supply, is opening their first store in Shanghai in the middle of this month. From their press release: more ›

Oops..we have been sitting on this a few days, all the beers and amazing shows made Shanghaiist a little loopy and unable to sit down and type. The entry below comes via Emily Moy who had a chance to sit down with Talib Kweli and Ozomatli at the Yue Festival press conference last Thursday........ more ›

Cathay Pacific and Air China's parent company abandoned an attempt to block Singapore Airlines from buying a stake in China Eastern, as the battle for the lucrative Chinese market heats up. more ›

Spearheaded by drummer Al Gordon, this new club is the latest addition to the Shanghai live jazz and blues scene. It’s a funky little club, literally one room, but it’s a great space and the band is solid. As the name implies, the place is not trying to be another jazz venue; rather they are concentrating on blues, funk, and soul music–and are starting and ending much later than most other venues. Most nights the club will have live music starting around 11pm, with sets running through till 4am. Al has joining him on guitar Eddie Goltz, who also is a great singer, and Peter Phillips from New York on the keyboards. They are encouraging musicians to join them for jam sessions, which is why they intentionally start the gig so late. more ›

So this is what the new street signs look like! What do Shanghaiists think? Before the good old green street signs become collectors' items, we are running off to make our very own Shanghai street sign! more ›

People who made the news this week more ›

This latest ad from the British Council (h/t to Danwei) should appeal to the scores of English teachers in Shanghai who are looking for a change in environment, and the pay looks good too! --

The British Council/Foreign and Commonwealth Office English language project in the DPRK aims to deliver quality programmes in teacher/trainer training and to develop the curriculum and related materials as well as assessment systems at leading institutions in Pyongyang. This high-profile project has been running since 2000, and we are now seeking three experienced English language teaching professionals to fill the above posts, which will be based at these institutions.

Unlike some of the previous musicals that have taken the stage in Shanghai, 42nd Street is a musical more in line with Broadway's roots and traditions, a true reflection of the Broadway of old...you know, before shows adapted from Hollywood movies took it over. Originally, the show debuted in 1980, based upon the 1933 movie of the same name. After it's Broadway debut and subsequent Tony award for Best Musical, 42nd Street went on to become one of the longest running musicals in Broadway history. more ›

This week's Adoptable Pet from Second Chance Animal Aid, Shanghaiist's adopted animal charity. From the SCAA:
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