20,000 attend annual 100km Walk

Chinese and expat participants set off on the 100km Walk in Longgang District on Saturday. Sun Yuchen

A total of 20,000 participants attended the annual 100km Walk, or Shenzhen 100km, organized by doyouhike.net, Saturday.

The walk’s route started at Shenzhen Universiade Sports Center in Longgang District, passed through Luohu, Yantian and Pingshan districts, and finished at the cultural square in Dapeng New Area. The whole journey totaled 101.4 kilometers.

Shenzhen has so far built nearly 2,500 km of greenways, about 70 km of which, including the Longgang River greenway, Wutong greenway in Luohu and Maluan Mountain greenway, were selected for the event, according to Yang Lei, deputy director of Shenzhen Municipal Urban Administration Bureau.

“We deployed volunteers and staff to inspect each selected greenway in advance to ensure a sound environment for all of the participants. We hope to use this opportunity to encourage residents to go outside,” he said.

The event had been rescheduled due to frequent rain over the past few weeks, which, however, did not diminish the participants’ enthusiasm. Before 7 a.m., a slew of participants were seen warming up at the starting point in Longgang.

A resident surnamed Wu living in Xili, Nanshan District, told the Shenzhen Daily that he got up at 5 a.m. and this was his third time attending.

“Last year, it took me nearly 15 hours. This time, I hope I can cross the finish line at 9 p.m.,” he said.

Another participant, who was identified by his surname Li, told the Daily that he lived in Dongguan and came to Shenzhen especially for the hiking event.

“I cannot remember how many times I have participated in [the event]. Normally, I would come as long as I have the time available,” he said, adding that walking with others is different from walking alone.

“It’s good to encourage each other and you feel positive spirit and energy,” he added.

Thousands of volunteers and policemen were deployed along the route to offer help and first-aid services.

Launched in 2001, the walk is now considered a representative window into the city.