Shi Zhiyong, an Olympic weightlifting champion, leads the running team at the annual event in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on Jan 1. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

On the morning of the first day in 2018, nearly 10,000 people in Ningbo, Zhejiang province gathered at the international expo center for the annual running event.

The event has been held for 35 consecutive years. It is a reserved activity that embraces the New Year and promotes the importance of exercise among the public.

Xu Jian, deputy director of Ningbo's sports bureau extended the hope that runners could savor the charm of the city through running and form a healthy concept for daily lives.

This year, the running group was led by Shi Zhiyong, an Olympic gold medalist. Shi said a toned body is the basis of a healthy life and he hoped the activity could encourage Ningbo people to take active part in physical exercises.

Runners started from the No 1 hall of the expo center and ended at the west gate, a distance of five kilometers. Twenty medical workers, over 300 security staff and volunteers, and four service stations for water supply ensured the orderly management of the running activity.

This time around, Ningbo made some innovations at the traditional event. People were able to feel the fun from running, as well as the dance performance of senior citizens, drum beating and cheerleading dance. After the running event, a variety of cultural activities were presented to citizens including writing couplets and paper cutting.

Nearly 10,000 people participate in the running event in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on Jan 1. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]

Runners holding certificates pose for a group photo after the running event in Ningbo, Zhejiang province on Jan 1. [Photo/zjol.com.cn]