KUNMING, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 2018 SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization) Kunming International Marathon will take place on December 2 in Kunming city in China's southern province of Yunnan.

The event's two slogans are "Becoming dearer, closer, and more harmonious in the City of Eternal Spring" and "Chasing dreams to new heights in Colourful Yunnan."

20,000 participants are expected to compete in the full marathon, half-marathon, health run and parent-child events.

"The 2018 SCO Kunming International Marathon is the first marathon to be named after an international organization in China. More foreign competitors, especially those from SCO member states, will be invited to compete in this tournament," Wang Jianying, vice-mayor of Kunming, told a press conference here.

Meanwhile, the National Youth Football Cup Invitational will be held before the marathon. Youth football teams from eight SCO member states will be invited to Kunming, setting up a platform for youth communication and cooperation among those countries.

The 2018 SCO Kunming International Marathon is the third running of the event since its inception in 2016. The competition has become a major platform for cultural exchanges among SCO member states.