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UPDATED: October 17, 2011 Web Exclusive
Beyond Marathon
Ordinary people enjoy running
By CHEN RAN
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VICTORY: Wang Shichao, 57, celebrates after finishing the 2011 Beijing Marathon, also his 32th full course, on October 16 (CHEN RAN)

Four hours, twenty-two minutes. That was the final result amateur marathoner no. 14895 Wang Shichao clocked when crossing the finishing line at the 2011 Beijing Marathon in the afternoon of October 16.

Wang's result was two hours and 13 minutes longer than that of Francis Kiprop Kipkorir of Kenya, who won with a time of 2:09:00. It was even 54 minutes later than Wang's personal best of 3:28:00. But for the 57-year-old, the emotional significance of finishing his 32nd full-length contest since 2006 was far more important than the result.

Living in north China's Tianjin Municipality, some 140 km away from Beijing, Wang runs at the Tianjin Water Park every morning with his peers. His daily routine consists of waking at 4 a.m. and running at 5 a.m. Seven years ago, however, it was hard to imagine the then-108-kg marketing professional would have anything to do with sports.

"I could barely squat at the time, not to mention run," Wang recalled.

It was not until 2004 that Wang became aware of the importance of physical health. He tried jogging at the nearby Nankai University's playground after his parents received medical treatment for months.

To his astonishment, he managed to reshape himself outside and inside in only two years - his weight decreased to 72 kg, his blood pressure normalized, and even his attitude became more active. He made a lot of friends while running, and even finished his very first 42.195-km event at the 2006 Shanghai International Marathon.

"He runs every day regardless the weather; he runs even on the eve of Spring Festival, the most important occasion for family reunions," Wang's wife, You Wei, 56, told Beijing Review. "Nothing could hamper his love for running."

In 2008, she joined Wang, becoming a regular runner after retirement. Whenever Wang and his peers enrolled in a marathon, she would show up on the scene and greet them at the finishing line.

This year's Beijing Marathon, which held on the third Sunday in October each year, was Wang's fifth consecutive participation in the event.

The Wangs and more than 50 fellow amateur runners rented coaches in Tianjin and headed to Beijing at 4:30 a.m. They arrived at the starting point in Tiananmen Square after the three-hour journey. Family members went to the finishing point directly at the Celebration Square of the Central Zone at the Beijing Olympic Park, better known as the Landscape Avenue between the Bird's Nest and Water Cube.

According to the organizer, a total of 8,500 participants competed on the whole 42.195-km course, while 21,500 others participated in a half-marathon and shorter 9- and 4.2-km races. The 30,000-person registration quota was full within 5 days, 39 days earlier than the scheduled deadline date. In striking contrast, there were only 80 participants in the first Beijing Marathon in 1980. Moreover, each year, some 20 cities across China organize marathons, making the sport more popular.

Charity sponsorship was introduced for the first time to Beijing Marathon, aiming to promote the concept of charity through sports and offering a platform for charity and public service institutions to raise funds and awareness. Moreover, the closing time was extended from five hours to six to ensure more amateur marathoners could finish the entire course.

Athletes from Kenya took the top three places in the men's marathon. Wei Xiaojie of China claimed the women's title, becoming Team China's 20th consecutive champion.

Wang and his fellows returned home as soon as the competition finished in the afternoon. They will attend marathons in Hangzhou and Shanghai later this year.

"Running is great!" Wang noted. "It keeps me fit and positive, and helps me make a lot of friends. Marathon running is tough, but I can gain a lot from that."



 
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