At the 2024 Yellow River Estuary (Dongying) Marathon staged on Oct 20, 66-year-old Gao Jie – a local resident of Dongying city located in East China's Shandong province – made a remarkable appearance.
A retired worker from the Shengli Oilfield, Gao has been following the marathon since its inception in Dongying in 2008.
Over the past 17 years and 15 events, his dedication has forged a strong bond with the sport, allowing him to witness the marathon's growth and transformation.
"I began running marathons at 51, starting with a 5-kilometer race that I completed in 24 minutes," Gao recalled.
Feeling confident after that initial attempt, he decided to challenge himself with longer distances, embarking on his marathon journey.
Since 2013, Gao has participated in full marathons in Dongying, believing that completing the course is essential to truly appreciate the beauty of the city.
"The Dongying Marathon attracts me the most. The environment, course, services and volunteer efforts are all exceptional, drawing runners from across the country and the world," he added.
"While every race has a finish line, the pursuit of self-improvement never ends. My goal is to continue running marathons, even at 70," he declared.
Watch this video to see his amazing marathon story!
[Video provided to chinadaily.com.cn]
