The 2013 National Hiking Conference opened on the 25th at Nanjiangbin Park in Fuzhou. At the same time, the ninth “Celebrate the New Year in High Spirits” 100,000-Person Health Walk event was also launched.
“The 100,000-Person Health Walk has been held in Fuzhou for nine consecutive years, and I’ve participated every year,” said Li Baosong from the Elderly Sports Association of Fuzhou Municipal Agencies, holding a team flag at the front of the line.
According to reports, this event has become a traditional sports activity and one of the key brand events for welcoming the New Year in Fujian and Fuzhou. In addition to the main venue at Nanjiangbin Park along the Min River, various districts, counties, and cities in Fuzhou also organized related activities, with over 100,000 participants in the health walk.
“By organizing such activities, we can encourage more citizens to engage in physical exercise and walk their way to health,” said Li Xiaoxin, Vice President of the China Mountaineering Association, in an interview. He added that Fuzhou has hosted the opening ceremony of the National Hiking Conference for eight consecutive years, setting a strong example nationwide.
Chen Ying, a volunteer from Fujian Vocational Institute of Physical Education, told reporters that since the event wasn’t held on a weekend, this year’s participants were mostly elderly.
“The fitness atmosphere in Fuzhou is getting stronger. Over the years, there have been more outdoor fitness venues, and the conditions and facilities have been continuously improving,” said Li Baosong.
The hiking route covered approximately 5 kilometers, starting at Overseas Chinese Park, passing through the entrance of Minjiang Park, and ending at Jiulongbi, with fitness performance activities set up along the way.