Recently, Wu Qiujiang, a “hiking man” from Shijiazhuang, challenged his perseverance by walking around the Second Ring Road four times in two days.
The 50-year-old Wu, originally from Lingshou, currently drives a shuttle bus for a company in Shijiazhuang. His family’s main source of income is his monthly salary of just over 2,000 yuan. “Our family life has never been well-off, and several family members have been affected by illness one after another—my father and second eldest sister both passed away from cancer, my spouse suffers from breast cancer, and I myself have been plagued by rhinitis, pharyngitis, high blood pressure, and high blood sugar,” said Wu Qiujiang. “I’m the pillar of the family; I can’t afford to collapse. I must strengthen my fitness.”
Two years ago, after making up his mind, he began to exercise every day. He started with running—at first 3 or 5 kilometers, gradually increasing to 10 kilometers. It wasn’t until this year that he met a friend who also enjoyed hiking. Together, they participated in a hiking competition, which is when he fell in love with the sport.
At around 9 p.m. on December 16, he set off from his company dormitory located at the intersection of Huai’an Road and the West Second Ring Road. By around 6 a.m. the next day, he had completed the first lap. After a short rest, at around 9 a.m. on the 17th, he set off again and finished the second lap by around 6 p.m. At 9 p.m. that day, he began the third lap, completing it by around 6 a.m. on the 18th. From around 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the 18th, he completed the fourth lap.
It is understood that one lap around the Second Ring Road is over 40 kilometers. In two days, he walked around the ring road four times—that is, at least over 160 kilometers.
“Since I’ve stuck with exercising, my rhinitis has improved a lot, and my blood pressure and blood sugar are now under control. I feel much better physically and my spirits are much higher than before,” Wu Qiujiang said cheerfully.