Author(s): GUO, Y., HUANG, X.F., Institution: CHINA INSTITUTE OF SPORT SCIENCE, Country: CHINA, Abstract-ID: 870

Introduction
In 2024, there will be 254 full marathons in China, with a total participation of 1.1664 million people, and 442 half marathons with 2.9968 million participants. With the growth in the number of events and the scale of participants, as well as the need to introduce higher-level international certified events, achieving sustainable development in marathon events has become a critical issue for event organizers. ISO 20121, as the internationally recognized standard for sustainable event management, emphasizes process governance based on PDCA, risk and opportunity planning, issue identification and importance assessment, and performance evaluation through Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for comparable and consistent results. This paper takes the management system logic of ISO 20121 as the main framework and combines the organizational structure of Chinese marathon events and the reality of urban governance to build a sustainable management indicator system, process tools, and implementation suggestions tailored to China's marathon events.
Methods
This study constructed a sustainability indicator system and process tools for Chinese marathon events through literature analysis and field research.
Results
Utilizing the requirements and guidelines of ISO 20121 for event sustainability management, the paper identifies key issues for the sustainable development of marathon events in China from environmental, social, and economic perspectives. An indicator system is constructed, covering modules such as resource reuse, supply chain and procurement, climate change, traffic and logistics, event governance, information disclosure, and renovation. Based on the identified key issues and the established indicator system, a practical process toolkit is developed, including a green procurement checklist, waste and recycling flowchart, low-carbon transportation plan, and community communication and complaint procedures. This paper further proposes a localized implementation path and tests it through practice.
Discussion
This study demonstrates the localized application path of ISO 20121 standards in Chinese marathon events and proposes a systematic sustainability management indicator system and practical process tools, providing organizers with quantifiable assessment and guidance for implementation. The conclusions include: The sustainability management indicator system and process tools effectively improve the environmental, social, and economic performance of events, providing a scientific basis for their sustainable development. Localizing adjustments to meet China's specific needs is key to ensuring the successful implementation of international standards and sustainable practices. The framework presented in this study is not only applicable to marathon events but can also serve as a reference for other large-scale sports events or activities, promoting the overall sustainable development of sports events in China.