Chinese hurdling star Liuxiang grabs hold of his fist to show his encouragement to runners in the Amway Nutrilite 2009 International Long-Distance Running Festival, which opened in Beijing on Sunday Morning, April 12. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
The 'Amway Nutrilite 2009 International Long-Distance Running Festival' opened in Beijing on Sunday morning, April 12th.
About 10,000 amateur athletes from China and abroad took part in the race. Runners dashed from the Tian'anmen square starting line at 9:00am after Beijing's mayor Guo Jinlong, the vice minister of the State General Administration of Sports (SGAS) Duan shijie, and the president of Amway China, Huang Deyin fired their starter's pistols.
Runners departed from Tian'anmen Square in the centre of Beijing and those who made it to the finish line had to cross the south western part of the city to arrive at Xiannongtan Stadium.
Runners taking part in the mini-marathon and 10km race were divided into groups according to age, gender and nationality.
"It is meaningful to hold such an activity." An old man surnamed Wang said, "This is the third time I've joined the long-distance running festival."
Zhang Yu, a college student, expressed his excitement by saying "I love sports! I like running!"
Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, once the world record holder, attended the event as a spokesman for Amway Nutrilite and donated T-shirts with his signature to runners from the Beijing Zhiquan school for the children of immigrants.
The theme of this year's festival is 'Spreading the Olympic spirit, Building up harmonious Beijing'. It aims to increase awareness about the importance of good health and encourage people to join in fitness activities, such as this.
The event, which has a popular tradition dating back over 50 years, was originally known as the Beijing Spring Long-distance Run. It has long attracted participants from countries such as the U.S, Australia, Belgium, the U.K, Poland, Denmark and Canada.
Chinese star hurdler Liuxiang( M) encourages runners in the Amway Nutrilite 2009 International Long-Distance Running Festival, which opened in Beijing on Sunday Morning, April 12. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
Participants dash from the starting line in Tian'anmen Square for the Amway Nutrilite 2009 International Long-Distance Running Festival, which opened in Beijing on Sunday Morning, April 12. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
Participants dash from the starting line in Tian'anmen Square for the Amway Nutrilite 2009 International Long-Distance Running Festival, which opened in Beijing on Sunday Morning, April 12. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]
