by sportswriter He Leijing
NANJING, April 2 (Xinhua) -- On a brisk spring morning, thousands of runners in peach-blossom-themed shirts streamed into a sea of pink, setting off along a 10-kilometer course winding through peach orchards, farmhouses and the soft glow of the season.
The race, held last Sunday in Yangshan town in the city of Wuxi, east China's Jiangsu Province, is an example of how sporting events are being woven into broader efforts to revitalize rural areas across the country.
Yangshan is known as China's hometown of honey peaches. Each spring, nearly 2,500 hectares of peach trees burst into bloom, filling the air with a delicate fragrance and turning the racecourse into a scenic corridor through flowering orchards.
Among the pacers was Wang Liping, the Olympic race walk champion at Sydney 2000. For her, the experience was almost surreal. "It's my first time here. The moment I stepped onto the course, I was surrounded by peach blossoms," she said. "It feels like running through a painting, truly a one-of-a-kind experience."
Joel Pope, a British kindergarten teacher based in Wuxi, also completed the course in his first long-distance race since arriving in China seven years ago.
An avid runner, Pope found both the setting and the atmosphere memorable. "The place is beautiful. You've got the peach flowers, and the atmosphere is really nice," he said. "The roads are very peaceful, which is perfect for long-distance running. When you're out there, you're surrounded by nature."
For Yangshan, however, the peach blossom race is more than a celebration of spring. Its postcard charm has also become an economic driver.
A seasonal market sprang up near the finish line, offering everything from peach wood carvings and cultural souvenirs to a wide range of local delicacies. Runners and their families lingered, browsing and sampling, turning the morning event into a full-day rural getaway.
"Many participants and their families arrived early and stayed for a few days. Our rooms have been fully booked," said Fu Yatao, who runs a local homestay.
"By blending flower viewing, sport and leisure, the event has drawn urban visitors seeking a countryside retreat and a taste of spring's charm," Fu added.
Organizers said around 5,000 runners took part, directly attracting more than 10,000 visitors including supporters, figures that do not account for additional tourists drawn by the festive atmosphere.
For local peach grower Gao Miaojie, who ran in the family category with her son, the event was a point of pride. "To see so many visitors come to our doorstep is incredible," she said. "They come to enjoy the blossoms in spring and will return in summer to pick peaches. That's how our reputation grows."
March marks the peak season for road races across many Chinese cities, coinciding with a surge in spring travel. At the recent Wuxi Marathon, runners passed through cherry blossom-lined routes and lakeside scenery, turning the contest of speed and endurance into an immersive seasonal journey.
The Wuxi Marathon drew runners from around the world, with more than 495,000 applicants, a record high for marathon entries in China. Of the 35,000 participants, 91.4 percent came from outside the host city.
According to local sports authorities, the marathon generated more than 510 million yuan (74 million U.S. dollars) in direct economic activity across dining, lodging, transport and tourism.
"Sport has become a powerful vehicle," Wang said. "In Yangshan, I saw many runners from other regions. A single race can integrate agriculture, culture, tourism and sport, showcasing local specialties while telling the story of honey peach cultivation."
"For many people, traveling to a city for a race becomes a reason to bring along family," she added. "It's not just about running - you want to experience the city's culture, history and cuisine, and truly embrace its charm." ■
