For the first time China will hold several long-distance races in the country's national parks. Runners will be given a chance to  enjoy some fine scenery while participating in the endurance tests.

For the first time China will hold several long-distance races in the country's national parks. Runners will be given a chance to enjoy some fine scenery while participating in the endurance tests.

The opening ceremony was held in Beijing to mark the first forest marathon series to be held here. The three spots for the debut year  races will be the Badaling National Forest Park in the capital on June 19th where participants can apply for 21 or 10 kilometre  cross-country races with a more relaxed 5k run for families.

The second will be at the Changbaishan National Nature Reserve in northeast China's Jilin province in mid September which will play  host to a challenging 75k race. Run Forrest Run.

The series will conclude in the tropical rain forest in Wanning, Hainan province in December with the number of races expected to be  expanded to 12 in 2017 by which time international runners will be able to take part.