HONG KONG: In an effort to draw more runners and promote local food, a half marathon in the northeastern Chinese province of Jilin offered an odd assortment of rewards. The first runner to cross the finish line would receive a cow, while other racers would receive wild fish, geese, or roosters.
A cow would be given to the male and female half marathon winners, according to a WeChat post made by the Nong’an Taipingchi Ice and Snow half marathon organizers on December 29. Another option is to trade the farm animal for 6,000 yuan ($827.81).
Geese, ducks, and roosters from the same pond were awarded prizes, while wild fish from Taiping Pond took second place. Other finishers would receive ten kilograms (22 pounds) of wheat and rice.
