Despite the bitter cold of deep winter and the biting north wind, the enthusiasm of Hangzhou residents for fitness remains undimmed. Recently, the launch ceremony of the first stop of the “2013 Hangzhou Citywide Fitness Walk Series: ‘Step Daily, Stay Healthy Forever’” kicked off. More than 1,200 hiking enthusiasts braved the frost and walked vigorously along the shores of West Lake. Wang Xiaomei, Vice Chairman of the Municipal CPPCC, and others participated in the event.
The event was hosted by the Municipal Sports Bureau and the Municipal Sports Federation, and organized by the Municipal Sports and Leisure Industry Association.
In the past 2012 alone, a total of eight fitness walk events were held, attracting nearly 30,000 participants. Several elderly women at the scene claimed to be loyal fans of the event. As they walked, they said that walking is the simplest and most practical form of exercise they have ever tried. Since the Municipal Sports Bureau launched this activity, they have attended every stop, and they also follow the exercise method recommended by Professor Zhao Rongfu, Director of the Municipal Sports Bureau, in their daily lives. Over the year, their sleep has improved, their appetite has increased, their legs have become more agile, and even their persistently high blood pressure has returned to normal. Now, at the beginning of each month, they inquire everywhere about where the fitness walk will take place that month, arrive early at the venue, and wait for “Professor Zhao” to teach them more walking techniques.
To reward the public’s enthusiastic participation and promote the healthy concept of nationwide fitness, the Municipal Sports Bureau and the Municipal Sports Federation also prepared fitness equipment worth over 30,000 yuan as prizes for citizens who completed the entire “2012 Fitness Walk Series.”
Also in the news: Saturday marks the official release of Hangzhou’s first hiking map. The map is jointly organized by the Municipal Tourism Commission, the Municipal Sports Bureau, and the Office of the Leading Group for Cultivating and Developing Ten Key Potential Industries, and compiled by the Municipal Sports and Leisure Industry Association. The map focuses on urban areas, with the back side outlining the general area of each route in red lines, while the front side highlights four classic hiking routes set around water in key districts: Strolling Along the Most Classic West Lake, Exploring the Most Natural Xixi Wetland, Wandering Through the Most Cultural Ancient Canals, and Gazing at the Most Majestic Qiantang River. Starting this week, citizens can pick up the map for free at various tourism information centers across Hangzhou.