A total of 4,500 runners participate in the Ninghai Trail Running Race, one of the events of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) World Series, in Ninghai county, Ningbo on April 15. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Ninghai county in Ningbo, Zhejiang province has become a hot spot for both land and water sports.

On April 15, 4,500 runners from around the world participated in the Ninghai Trail Running Race, which consisted of four races of varying length: ­105 kilometers, 60 kilometers, 25 kilometers and 12 kilometers. 

Established in 2013, the Ninghai Trail Running Race has become one of the most popular trail running events in China and has attracted more than 20,000 participants from over 20 countries and regions over the past 10 years. This year's race was listed among the 35 events of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) World Series.

Xiang Fuzhao, a famous Chinese trail runner, participated in the race and was impressed by the course.

"It is a typical Jiangnan course," she said. The course links ancient towns, villages, and scenic spots and offers participants a great opportunity to admire the beautiful springtime scenery. Facilities such as test areas, camp sites, intelligent mountain climbing systems, and outdoor rescue systems have also been set up along the course.

"The supply depots that offer food and local specialties to refuel energy are great," said Jiang Wenxi, leader of Dream Chasers, a running team from Wuxi, Jiangsu province, while resting at a supply depot in Fengshan village. Jiang has been participating in trail running races since 2017, and this year over 30 members of his team came to Ninghai. 

A two-day sea fishing competition kicks off in Ninghai county, Ningbo on April 16. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Like runners, water sports enthusiasts from across the nation have also discovered the charm of Ninghai.

A sea fishing competition kicked off in the county's Qiangjiao town, which is located on the shores of Ninghai Bay, on April 16. The two-day event attracted 88 people in 44 teams from across the nation.

Ninghai Bay is located at the end of Xiangshan Port, where freshwater meets at the sea. A variety of fish, such as snappers, weevers, and yellow croakers, inhabit the water there.

"Ninghai Bay is an ideal place for fishing lovers to fish year-round," said Zhang Zhiwei, a participant from Macau. Zhang attended the sea fishing competition at Ninghai Bay for the second time.

Zhang also called for efforts to develop the marine tourism industry and build a sea fishing base to host various sports competitions in the area.