MY NEW CHINA

I used to run with the Billericay Striders in Essex. Now I live and work in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province in China, and recently competed in the local half marathon, my first since 2011. Overall, 15,000 people took part in the 5K, half and full marathons – it was a great day. I can't tell you how many times people shouted ‘Laowai, jia you, jia you!’ (‘Foreigner, come on, come on!’) All competitors were asked to wear a small red scarf to commemorate the soldiers who fell in the great wars – Nanchang is historically known as the ‘city of heroes’. Tom Bailey, Nanchang, China

Tom Bailey (left) is all smiles after his first half marathon since 2011. His friend looks as if he could run another one