Runners get together in Guangxi for 2025 National Sports Culture Promotion Event

On Nov 8, over 1,000 runners gathered at Yangshuo in Guilin city in South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, amid the misty Lijiang River and picturesque landscapes, to kick off the 2025 National Sports Culture Promotion Event and the Beautiful China Fitness-for-All Run Guangxi Guilin Station.

The 2025 National Sports Culture Promotion Event and the Beautiful China Fitness-for-All Run Guangxi Guilin Station kicks off in Yangshuo on Nov 8. [Photo provided to guangxi.chinadaily.com.cn/guilin]

As a core event of the "Wild Guilin Adventure" Guangxi Outdoor Sports Carnival, the event successfully ignited enthusiasm of the public for nationwide fitness program, attracting broad participation.

Wu Yong, vice-governor of Yangshuo county, participates in the torch relay. [Photo provided to guangxi.chinadaily.com.cn/guilin]

At 7 am, the torch relay ceremony commenced at the Yangshuo Tourist Parking Lot, involving 20 torchbearers. The 6-kilometer route connected various city landmarks, drawing spectators along the way. At the Yangshuo Bay Wharf, Olympic champion Song Nina lit the main cauldron, marking the completion of the torch relay.

Athens Olympics champion Song lit the main cauldron at the torch relay company. [Photo provided to guangxi.chinadaily.com.cn/guilin]

At 9 am, the fitness-for-all run officially started, with 2,000 participants competing in either the 10.5-kilometer or 5-kilometer categories along the scenic Lijiang River. The 10.5-kilometer route led runners through iconic spots such as Sihe Avenue and Yulong Bay International Camp, while the 5-kilometer course offered participants a picturesque journey through karst peaks and idyllic landscapes, ideal for families and leisure runners.

Runners pose for a photo at the site of the 2025 National Sports Culture Promotion Event and the Beautiful China Fitness-for-All Run Guangxi Guilin Station. [Photo provided to guangxi.chinadaily.com.cn/guilin]

Concurrently, the Chinese Sports Culture Exhibition was launched, providing an immersive historical experience. It showcases milestone events like Liu Changchun's solo appearance at the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 1932 and Xu Haifeng's securing the first gold medal for China at the Olympics in 1984. The Guangxi Sports Achievements Exhibition highlighted dynamic sports activities, enhancing the region's tourism and sports economy.

The event attracted over 2,000 participants, with 30 percent being tourists, further boosting Yangshuo's tourism through innovative "sports event + consumption" integration, promoting a vibrant sports consumption, culture and economy.