Formula One to formula run
Half marathon on F1 track helping to fuel China’s fitness push, as Shi Futian reports.
China’s national fitness campaign kicked into high gear on the Formula One track in Shanghai on New Year’s Day. Around 9,500 runners took part in the Run the Track half marathon at Shanghai International Circuit, home of the Chinese Grand Prix.
The race has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2015, with the fourth edition boasting an impressive support system for runners in the form of 400 volunteers, 200 security staff, 80 judges, 24 pacemakers, 130 medical personnel and five ambulances.
The entire field, which spanned an age range of 12 to 82, was also entitled to free physical examinations at the race.
Li Wei took the tape in the men’s race in 1hr 7min 58sec while the women’s title went to Zheng Zhiling in 1:14:46.
Organized by Shanghai Jiading District People’s Government, Shanghai Jiading District Sports Bureau and multiple business partners like Shanghai Juss Sports Development Group, the owner of the F1 track, the race showed how the nation can get more from its major sports venues.
“We are focusing on developing a ‘healthy Jiading’,” said Ma Chunlei, secretary of the CPC Jiading District Committee. “We will vigorously promote the national fitness program in Jiading, making the fitness program of our district one of the best in Shanghai.
“This is the fourth edition of Run the Track, and the race has become an iconic new-year running event in Shanghai.”
Novelty value
The novelty of running the track has proved an enticing prospect — both for motorheads and those not so familiar with Lewis Hamilton and the F1 glitterati.
“Running on the F1 track is so different,” said Xie Zhewen, a hardcore F1 fan and Run The Track regular.
“Not every F1 fan can have the chance to run on an F1 track, so this is a great chance for fans to feel it for themselves.
“There are many New Year’s marathons in China, but running on the F1 track is so unique that I always feel the same excitement every time I come.”
Men’s winner Li said: “I enjoyed the whole atmosphere a lot. The F1 track is clean and comfortable for the runners, and it’s a unique experience.
“I have run marathons for many years, and I have to say that using an F1 track as a course is amazing.”
Li had been waiting a long time for his chance at glory, having missed out on a place in last year’s race when the 8,500 allocation sold out in under three hours.
This year’s boosted allocation vanished within an hour, with 95 runners from overseas among the lucky entrants.
Shanghai shapes up
As the host city of many major international sports events, Shanghai has been spending big on the construction, reuse and upgrade of stadia.
According to the Shanghai Fitness Report, a total of 770 million yuan (about $116 million) was spent on developing fitness programs in the city last year. It now boasts 11,869 fitness spots, 446 public courts and 507 walking tracks.
One particular new innovation is proving particularly popular with the city’s fitness-focused population — “smart” basketball courts, which can be booked in much the same manner as bicycle-sharing systems.
“This is very convenient for every basketball lover in the city,” said Yu Biao, director of Shanghai Jing’an District Sports Bureau.
“Through the new system, we can monitor the courts all the time online and manage their use more effectively.”
The only way to unlock the front door of a smart court is to book online through a smartphone. Users can see the number of players on each court on their phone and decide if they want to join in or try to book a different one.
The fee — five to eight yuan per hour for each player — is relatively cheap compared to renting traditional courts in the city. The smart courts also feature closed-circuit TV cameras in each corner, allowing online operators to monitor the activity, control the lights and oversee safety.
Shanghai’s fitness push forms part of the National Fitness Program for 2016-20, aimed at encouraging 700 million Chinese to take part in physical exercise at lease once a week.
Over the course of the program, total expenditure on sports at all levels is projected to reach 1.5 trillion yuan ($226 billion).
There are many New Year’s marathons in China, but running on the F1 track is so unique that I always feel the same excitement every time I come.” Xie Zhewen, Run The Track regular