Chapter 13: Running Forward
Chapter 13: Running Forward
Ten days passed.
Saturday morning, Yuncheng Civic Square.
As the starting point of Civic Avenue, the Civic Square was unusually lively today, with banners fluttering and drums beating loudly.
A vast sea of people filled the square. Thousands of marathon runners gathered here, waiting for the race to officially begin.
The Yuncheng Summer International Marathon had been held nine times. Its history wasn’t very long, and whether in scale or professionalism, it was far less impressive compared to events in super cities like Beijing or Magic City (nickname for Shanghai).
The marathons in super cities like Beijing and Magic City were the highest level events, with the strictest systems. Registration started at least half a year in advance, and applicants had to go through layers of screening to qualify.
Even so, the final number of participants often reached tens of thousands or even over a hundred thousand.
The Yuncheng Marathon was a lower-level event. This year’s participants numbered just over thirty thousand.
In fact, Yuncheng mainly treated the marathon as a marketing project, striving to make it a city calling card.
After all, tourism was one of Yuncheng’s important pillar industries.
However, because the prize money for first and second place had been increased this year, not only did the number of registrants break a record, it also attracted more professional runners.
Hidden within the crowd, Gao Jing spotted over a dozen dark figures at the very front of the gathering.
They were long-distance runners from Africa.
In the past three Yuncheng Summer International Marathons (eighth, seventh, and sixth editions), the top three spots in the Men’s Full Marathon were all taken by African runners. The champions of the fifth and fourth editions were also black-skinned athletes.
The same situation occurred in international marathons held in other domestic cities too.
There was no helping it; African runners had always held a significant advantage in long-distance events.
So today, if Gao Jing wanted to win first place, his opponents had to be those African runners!
Though he knew they were strong, right now, Gao Jing’s fighting spirit burned brightly, and he was full of desire for the challenge.
Before the race began, there were the usual ceremonies. During this, a large flock of pigeons was released, whooshing into the sky.
Leaders gave their speeches, then announced the official start of this year’s Yuncheng Summer International Marathon.
Bang!
With the sound of a starter pistol, the massive crowd at the Civic Square began to move.
Like a great flood, they surged onto Civic Avenue!
The race was divided into the 42.195 km full marathon, the 21.0975 km half marathon, and the 6 km fun run.
The fun run had the fewest participants but the most “monsters and demons.” Runners dressed up as various anime characters and movie figures: Iron Man, Spider-Man, Deadpool, Sun Wukong (Monkey King), Zhu Bajie (Pigsy), Calabash Brothers, you name it!
They were truly there just to take part. Lots of them cheerfully held up selfie sticks for photos, and some were doing live broadcasts too.
However, the bulk of the prize money was reserved for the winners of the full marathon.
The full marathon runners were also the first to set off.
Gao Jing had naturally signed up for the full marathon. Since he wasn’t a seeded runner, his starting position was quite far back.
Gao Jing didn’t mind at all. The long race of over forty kilometers was just beginning!
This wasn’t his first time participating in a marathon.
But it was the first time he was running the full distance.
According to the race plan, runners needed to go through Civic Avenue, traverse the city center, enter Yuncheng’s CBD business district, arrive at the end of Wanhai Road, reach Yunlan Lake, and then run around the lake along Lakeview Boulevard.
The final finish line was at Victory Memorial Square.
This route was carefully designed. It met the requirements of the race while blending the bustling sights of a modern city with natural scenery, making it great for promotion.
Especially the Lakeview Boulevard – the scenery along the way was extremely beautiful.
At the start, Gao Jing ran at a relaxed pace amidst the crowd, neither pushing ahead nor falling behind.
His gear was very simple. He wore the race uniform supplied by the organizers, his bib number with its built-in timing chip pinned to the front. His running shoes were cheap ones bought off Taobao.
The wide, straight Civic Avenue and surrounding areas had already been under traffic control. The lead broadcast vehicle drove at the very front, followed by countless runners.
Spectators lined both sides of the road.
Everyone waved small flags, enthusiastically cheering on the runners.
“A9274, Go! Go!”
Suddenly, a clear, pleasant voice rang out from the crowd.
Drawing the attention of many people.
Gao Jing also couldn’t help but turn his head toward where the sound came from.
Because A9274 was indeed his runner number!
He saw four or five girls around seventeen or eighteen years old bunched up behind the barricades. Dressed in pretty skirts and tops, some waved at him, others excitedly raised their phones to take pictures of him.
Their youthful smiles bloomed in the summer sun.
Although Gao Jing wasn’t running right at the front, his height and looks made him stand out like a proud crane among the surrounding runners!
That’s why he caught these girls’ attention and they cheered especially for him.
Gao Jing smiled and waved back at them.
This resulted in ear-piercing screams in response.
“So handsome!”
Gao Jing wiped sweat that wasn’t really there from his forehead and continued running forward.
Although over two weeks had passed since his life transformation, Gao Jing still hadn’t fully adjusted to life as a tall, handsome man.
For instance, walking down the street now, the number of people checking him out increased at least tenfold!
On the subway or bus, girls frequently took sneaky photos of him.
If he weren’t a bit older and didn’t know anything about acting, singing, or dancing, Gao Jing might have given being a celebrity a shot.
Oh!
The sensation from the Bronze Anchor on his chest hit him, making him smack his own head hard.
Stupid!
His main purpose for joining this marathon was first, to earn some living expenses, and second, to gather Power of Faith for the Bronze Anchor.
Just then, the Bronze Anchor had gained several “raindrops.”
Big, fat ones!
These Powers of Faith obviously came from those adorable, fresh-faced girls.
If gaining attention and affection like this could gather Power of Faith, then why was he lingering in the middle of the pack?
Actually, Gao Jing had been influenced by his old habits.
Thinking that setting a steady pace was the best strategy.
Luckily, realizing it now wasn’t too late.
He immediately picked up speed, stretching out his long legs, and dashed forward like the wind, overtaking the runners ahead of him.
During this period, Gao Jing had been eating huge amounts daily, consuming vast quantities of fat and sugar.
But while he grew taller, he hadn’t gained an ounce of extra fat. His weight remained around 70Kg, and his movements became even more agile and quick.
In just two or three minutes, Gao Jing successfully broke into the leading group!
The leading group consisted of over a dozen African runners, European/American runners, and top domestic athletes. African runners made up the majority, their advantage very obvious.
The gap they’d opened over the second group behind them wasn’t huge yet, but their pace was steady.
Normally, this setup would last quite a while, until someone fell back or someone pushed forward.
Gao Jing, bursting up suddenly, was like a lively catfish, instantly causing a bit of a stir.
Several African runners stared wordlessly as Gao Jing sped past them quickly.
The European and American runners wore expressions full of contempt and annoyance.
The two top domestic runners showed anger mixed with embarrassment.
Looking at Gao Jing’s bib number showed he wasn’t a seeded professional runner.
Charging recklessly to the very front like this had no purpose except for showing off and seeking attention.
The two felt embarrassed by Gao Jing’s actions.
They had raced many times and often encountered similar types.
In the end, not one ever finished the full race.
Of course, whether resentful or annoyed, no one could say Gao Jing had broken any race rules.
These experienced runners didn’t let Gao Jing disrupt their rhythm. Sticking to their planned strategies, they kept up their steady pace.
Gao Jing, having shot to the very front, instantly attracted immense attention!
The camera mounted on the lead vehicle focused on him, and spectators by the road cheered loudly.
This was largely because of Gao Jing’s remarkable looks; otherwise, the reaction wouldn’t have been so strong.
Good-looking guys were always welcome.
Gao Jing felt a light rain fall inside the Bronze Anchor.
What a lovely feeling!
His joyful mood made his steps feel even lighter.
Gao Jing lengthened the gap behind him, maintaining a lead of about twenty to thirty meters, closely following the lead vehicle.
After running several kilometers, he didn’t feel the slightest bit tired.
He had every confidence he could keep this pace all the way to the finish.
Then onward, forward.
Run forward, run toward a new life!