Old but vigorous
Life lies in movement, and health brings happiness. On February 15, Baojing’s “New Year Step-by-Step Up” mountain climbing event was held in great fanfare. Early in the morning, registered participants gathered from all directions toward “Fitness Slope,” and the banks of the You River were bustling with crowds.
“I want to sign up too, I want to take part!” On-site, people clamored to register, surrounding the staff who were taking down contestants’ information. “Can I still sign up? I’m over 70 years old, please register me too!” A senior man called out loudly amid the crowd. The staff recorded everyone who signed up on-site and gave them a contestant number badge to attach to their clothing.
Contestants of all age groups began doing brief warm-ups, dressed only in thin, close-fitting sportswear. “As long as you’re active, you don’t feel cold at all!” a man surnamed Hu in his 60s told reporters while warming up.
At 10 a.m., the first starting gun fired, and the young men’s group dashed off like a pack of charging tiger cubs. Soon, the large group disappeared around the bend of the mountain road. Just over ten minutes later, staff at the foot of the mountain received word from colleagues at the finish line registration that they could start the next group. With another gunshot, the young women’s group also quickly disappeared from view.
The starting gun sounded every ten minutes or so, and the middle-aged men’s and women’s groups, as well as the elderly men’s and women’s groups, set off one after another.
Participants in this event were divided into six age-based groups—senior, middle-aged, and young men’s and women’s groups—for internal competition, with the top 20 in each group receiving awards.
When the elderly men’s group started, the reporter managed to get ahead by a split second. But soon, it became clear that the contestants behind were catching up like a tidal wave. The reporter ran uphill along the mountain road, panting, and when looking back, the leading runners were already close behind.
As the reporter stopped at a spot to take photos with a camera, the leading red-shirted contestant had already overtaken. Watching the elderly men’s group contestants stride swiftly past, the reporter marveled at their speed, which was in no way inferior to that of the younger participants.
The platform at the finish line was crowded with people. By the time the sweaty reporter arrived, the top 20 award-winning contestants of the elderly men’s group began proudly stepping onto the stage to receive their prizes. Click, click—the shutter snapped, capturing the glorious moment of these mountain-climbing heroes for eternity.
On the way back via a shortcut through another path, people excitedly discussed the fun of the mountain climbing competition. “Hehe, that was close—I just made it to 20th place and got the last red envelope!” a beaming elderly man told his companions. “I’m 72 years old this year. Even though I didn’t win a prize, it doesn’t matter. It’s fun exercising with so many people!” another elderly man said calmly.