Fitness push

According to the General Administration of Sport of China, over 4,000 themed fitness and grassroots sports activities have been held in 31 provinces and municipalities in recent weeks to celebrate National Fitness Day this year.

Another 100-plus activities have been launched online.

Long-distance running events like the Hood to Coast have featured prominently in the festivities, while the likes of basketball, soccer, winter sports adapted for summer, and on-trend sports like skateboarding and frisbee have also proved popular.

"Nowadays people's passion for sports and fitness is really high. The arrival of the Hood to Coast is of course a boost to the national fitness campaign," said former Olympic race walk champion Wang Liping, who was taking part in the relay for the fourth time.

"Monday was National Fitness Day, and we hope such events can encourage and attract more people to sports and fitness."

Wang Junxia reckons the increased participation numbers also boost elite sports. "More people embracing sports enlarges the talent pool in the professional ranks. It will benefit both the grassroots and the professional level," she said.