Running the "Dragon Horse" in the Year of the Dragon, A Joyful and Grounded Celebration in Longwan

On the morning of March 10th, as the first light of dawn warmed the sky, the third Longwan Half Marathon kicked off at the Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center amidst a crisp, sunny morning.

The event embodied a true community spirit. By 6 am, a sea of runners had converged on the starting line, set against the backdrop of the Wenzhou Olympic Sports Center. The air was filled with friendly chatter and the enticing aroma of local cuisine."Join me for a serving of fried rice noodles?" one runner might invite another, as they made their way to the food stalls offering a taste of Wenzhou's culinary heritage. Fish ball soup, lantern cakes, and the city's signature fried rice noodles were just a few of the treats available to fuel the day's efforts. Chen, a participant from Hangzhou, couldn't resist the call of the fish ball soup, despite his initial plans".The smell alone was enough to make me ravenous", he admitted, his girlfriend playfully teasing him about his focus on the race results despite being in the fun run. Their banter sparked laughter among the crowd, setting a jovial tone for the day.

The marathon was not just a race; it was a celebration of Longwan's rich culture. Along the route, participants were treated to the vibrant spectacle of traditional performances, including dragon and lion dances, adding a touch of local flavor to the event.

Volunteerism was also a key element of the marathon's ethos. Young Zhou Mo, a third-grader from Ou Bei Central Primary School, was among the over 1,000 volunteers who lent a hand, picking up litter alongside his mother."It's the month of learning from Lei Feng, and we wanted to turn this event into a practical lesson for our child," Zhou Mo's mother explained, highlighting the educational value of the volunteer experience.

The marathon was a family affair for many. Zhang Xiaojun from Yaoxi was one of the many parents participating in the fun run with their children. His 13-year-old daughter, adorned in a vibrant red Chinese-style jacket, eagerly held her father's hand as they prepared for the race. Her enthusiasm had been building since the first edition of the marathon, when age restrictions had kept her from competing. This year, she finally got her chance to run alongside her father, who chose to forgo his usual half marathon to share this special moment with her.

The event drew a diverse crowd of 6,000 participants, with the half marathon boasting 4,000 runners and the fun run welcoming 2,000 more. The field was predominantly male, with men making up 70% of the participants, while women accounted for the remaining 30%.

The competition was fierce, with the men's and women's half marathon titles both going to talented runners from Kenya after an exhilarating race that lasted over an hour.

The Longwan Half Marathon has become a pride of the community, having evolved into a high-quality event after two editions of careful planning. It has now achieved the prestigious status of being a certified event by the Chinese Athletics Association, marking it as a key event in Longwan's self-cultivated IP portfolio.(ZhongXin)