LONDON, April 28 (Xinhua) -- The UK Department for International Trade said on Sunday that UK exports of trainers and sports footwear have been smashing records as tens of thousands of runners are taking part in this year's London Marathon.

Sales of trainers and sports footwear overseas reached 392 million pounds in 2018, a 21 percent increase since the previous year, the department said in a press release on Sunday, coinciding with the London Marathon event.

The most popular destination was Ireland, which imported British products worth 94 million pounds. Exports to other economies also raced up; China by 233 percent to 2.3 million pounds, the United Arab Emirates by 181 percent to 1.6 million pounds and the largest growth came in the Thai market, with exports growing by 1,157 percent to 1.1 million pounds, according to the data.

Trainers and sports footwear have been a high performer for British exports, and London took first place in the regional race for most footwear exports in the UK, the department said.

"Exports of UK trainers and sports footwear are doing brilliantly all over the world, the record number of applicants for this year's London Marathon is truly inspiring, and it's encouraging to know that more runners than ever will have British made trainers on their feet," said Liam Fox, secretary of State for International Trade.

Fox said the export success of companies like Norman WALSH and New Balance, which have large headquarters in the UK, is testament to the economic benefits of selling overseas. (1 pound=1.29 U.S. dollars)