CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- The Chongqing Marathon that hadn’t been held for three years resumed finally on March 19.

At 6:00 a.m., Nanbin Road has “waken up”, not as quiet as normal. Runners were warming up at the scene, putting their hands on the shoulders of others to do stretching exercises, making people closer. “A bowl of Chongqing noodles, please.” The noodle restaurant was crowded with people who came to cheer for their relatives and friends; police, security personnel and volunteers can be seen along the road.

Before the race, people have predicted how excited they would be when standing at the familiar racing track. But when they came to the scene and stood among the surging crowd on Nanbin Road, they were still surprised to find that their imagination was so limited.

The huge parade of runners was like a giant dragon lying on the Nanbin Road. “So many people! I miss the feeling of seeing this so much!” exclaimed Mr. Zhang, one of the runners at the starting line.

At 7:30, the gun fired in time for Chongqing Marathon, which was the 11th shoot for the race since the birth of Chongqing Marathon. “New Chongqing, New Chongqing Marathon.” Runners shouted the slogan as they raced past the starting line.

Runners passed by landmarks such as Dongyuan 1891, the National Palace Museum Relocation Memorial South, and the Ciyun Temple, then turned back under the Chaotianmen Bridge to Babin Road of Banan District, Meidiyacheng intersection and Lijiatuo Bridge, then turned back at the Ronghui Jiangshan intersection, and finally reached the Nanbin Park. Along the way, there are both traces of historical changes as well as the unique landscape of Chongqing.

At the scene of mini marathon, some runners run carrying their little babies of just three months old. Some are new comers who stepped onto the marathon track for the first time...

After two hours, at the finish line, people were nervously waiting to see who would be the championship. The runner from Kenya won the championship in 2 hours, 11 minutes, and 55 seconds.

Witnessing the birth of the champion, people did not leave. "Li Bo, Li Bo, come on." On both sides of road at the terminal stood, many people were cheering for Li Bo. In the Chongqing Marathon in 2020, local runner Li Bo won the men's championship in 2 hours, 23 minutes, and 15 seconds, making him the first champion from Chongqing in the Chongqing Marathon.

With the result of 2 hours, 13 minutes, and 20 seconds, Li Bo broke his personal best record and won the sixth place in the men's full marathon group. After finishing the race, he lay on the ground and cried loudly for a long time.

He said, “It's been a hard journey, and I'm very happy to break my personal best record in the marathon held in my hometown. Thanks to my family and friends for supporting me.”

In addition to competing for the place, behind a marathon, there are always many ordinary people's stories and emotions.

Wang Fushan, 82 years old, was the oldest runner in this Chongiqng Marathon. He came from Fushun, Liaoning Province by taking a green train overnight to Chongqing. "I failed to be selected every year after applying for registration. Thank the organizing committee for giving me the chance to realize my dream."

This time, Wang Fushan participated in race with runners from the "Xiyanghong" marathon group, composed of elderly people over 60 years old from all over the country.

"To win the places in the race is indeed out of reach for them, but as 82-year-old Wang Fushan said, “Marathon brings health and happiness to the elderly! "

At the scene of this year's Chongqing Marathon, there was a special runner, 61-year-old Shang Changbin, who came to run in a wheelchair. In 2006, he was paralyzed in his lower limbs due to an accident, which put his life in a difficult situation. Five years ago, he started to participate in wheelchair marathons, and he found himself again in races.

During the five years he has run for marathons, he has been to more than 10 cities alone and "run" in more than 20 marathons in the wheelchair. He said, "Sports not only gave me a second life, but also helped me find the value of life."

There are many people who have stories like them in this Chongqing Marathon, and they have filled the whole city with positive vitality and hope. (Translated by Hu Chuanmin, Fathom Language Limited)