David, Editor-in-Chief of Runner's World US, ran alongside 10-kilometer participants
having experienced the professional insights of the International Running Summit and the musical extravaganza of the Enchanting Old Mountain Carnival Night,“Leading China Charming Jiangsu Bank of China2016Old Mountain Crossing·Nanjing International Running Festival andCCTVSports Personality of the Year Public Fitness Run Nanjing Station”also reached its true climax. The picturesque and stunning course, the Olympic champions running shoulder to shoulder, and the thrilling music that got everyone’s blood pumping ignited the hearts of every passionate runner on site.
4On the24day at dawn, bathed in the morning glow and dew, thousands of runners gathered at the starting point in the Laoshan scenic area, waiting for their own starting gun.
To ensure runners of all levels and types could find the most suitable event to participate in, this year's running festival specially set up21.0975kilometer half marathon,10kilometerCCTVSports Personality of the Year Public Fitness Run,5kilometer couples run,2kilometer family run,1kilometer care run5different participation events.
At around8am, several flag-off guests including Fan Guangsheng, Inspector and Deputy Director of the Mass Sports Department of the General Administration of Sport of China, fired the starting gun, and the half marathon event kicked off first. Soon after, theTkilometer participants wearing purple10T-shirts, led by flag-off guests including David, Editor-in-Chief of Runner's World US, surged through the starting arch like a tide and stepped onto the picturesque Laoshan course.
As the half marathon and10kilometer participants gradually disappeared into the beautiful scenery,8At08o'clock,CCTVThe Nanjing leg of the Sports Personalities Public Welfare Run for National Fitness also fired its starting gun. Leading the pack were five Olympic champions—Zhang Hong, Zhou Yang, Qian Hong, He Chong, and He Kexin. Their presence not only electrified the crowd but also allowed all participants to more deeply feel the charm of running and the power of public welfare.
5The kilometer-long couples’ run,2thekilometer family run, and1the kilometer care run saw their participants set off in succession, completely filling the entire track with colorful raceTshirts, turning the entire Laoshan scenic area into a vibrant ocean of runners.
This year’s“Lead China Charming Jiangsu Bank of China2016Through Laoshan・Nanjing International Running Festival andCCTVSports Personalities Public Welfare Run for National Fitness Nanjing Station”were jointly organized by Sports Media Group Co., Ltd., China Sports Media Co., Ltd., and the People’s Government of Pukou District, Nanjing. They were co-hosted by the Pukou District Sports Bureau, Pukou District Tourism Bureau, Office of the Management Committee of Nanjing Laoshan Tourist Resort, Pukou District Communist Youth League Committee, Nanjing Bolu’ai Culture Media Co., Ltd., and Runner's World magazine. This marked the first time this globally popular urban running festival made its debut in Nanjing. The entire event spanned two days,4with the23month kicking off with2016RWthe Nanjing International Running Summit Forum, the selection of Jiangsu’s Most Beautiful Running Routes, the Charming Laoshan Carnival Night, and a series of other activities, authentically replicating the American-born, nationwide running celebration in its entirety within Nanjing, adding a bright touch to the development of the local running culture.
During the unveiling ceremony of the Jiangsu’s Most Beautiful Running Routes selection held on-site, the Laoshan route was an undisputed top vote-getter. As the main venue for the running festival, it left precious and wonderful memories for all who experienced it firsthand, and in the future, Laoshan will undoubtedly become a cherished home for Nanjing’s running enthusiasts.