Tongji students queue up for long-distance running check-ins
Starting this week, Tongji University has reformed its morning run system, canceling the rule that allowed swimming to replace morning runs and increasing the required number of runs per semester from 20 to 30. To complete the running tasks within the stipulated time, students have formed queues stretching over a hundred meters during the morning and evening time slots on campus, with many exclaiming, "This is unbearable." In response, the university authorities stated that this is a measure introduced to strengthen students' awareness of physical exercise. To eliminate the "long queues," they have planned to adjust the exercise and check-in times as soon as possible.
Morning or evening run frequency increased by 50%
Before the reform of the morning run system, the university required students to complete 20 morning or evening runs per semester, with a maximum of one per day, recorded via check-ins, which counted toward their regular physical education grades. The available time slots were from 6:30 to 7:15 am and 6:00 to 7:00 pm daily. Students could also opt to purchase a 30-yuan swimming card to substitute the morning runs with swimming. After the reform, the university canceled the option to replace morning runs with swimming and increased the required number of runs per semester from 20 to 30. Since students must check in both before and after their runs, the sports field has seen multiple instances of “hundred-meter-long queues” in recent days.
Students at Tongji University have reacted strongly to this initiative. On the university’s Baidu Tieba (forum), one student’s remark — “Prove you’re from Tongji in one sentence: Let’s go for a morning run tonight!” — received an enthusiastic response from many. A photo posted by Tongji student Xiong Zhiyao on Renren.com, accompanied by her own caption — “The International Space Station spotted a strange black line in the Shanghai area. Upon investigation, it turned out to be Tongji University students queuing up for their morning run check-ins. This is the third man-made structure visible from space, after the Dutch dams and the Great Wall.” — has been widely shared among students.