On the morning of January 1, Yancheng’s 2025 New Year’s Day Long-Distance Run kicked off in high spirits at the Dayangwan Ecotourism Scenic Area. Mayor Zhang Mingkang, Municipal People’s Congress Chairman Wang Rong, Municipal Political Consultative Conference Chairman Yang Weida, and Deputy Secretary of the CPC Yancheng Municipal Committee Wu Wei joined over 5,000 running enthusiasts from all walks of life to usher in the new year with energy and determination, marking the beginning of a fresh journey in 2025.

Now in its 37th year, the New Year’s Day run has become a beloved tradition in Yancheng, welcoming the new year and celebrating the holiday with one of the city’s most popular and widely recognized fitness events. Organized by the municipal government and co-hosted by the Yancheng Sports Bureau, the Municipal Sports Federation, and Yanwu Group Co., Ltd., this year’s event carried the theme “Run for a Vibrant Yancheng” and the slogan “Run, Yancheng!”. The initiative aims to encourage residents to embrace the joy and energy of running, step outdoors, and immerse themselves in a citywide fitness movement, setting a dynamic tone for the year ahead.

Fitness and well-being are cornerstones of a healthy and happy life. Yancheng has made impressive strides in promoting public health, with 4,142.5 kilometers of fitness trails, 30,949 sports venues, and an average of 4.73 square meters of sports space per capita, the highest in Jiangsu Province. Over 43.5% of the city’s residents regularly engage in physical activities. Last year alone, more than 1,000 fitness events were held in local scenic areas, allowing more citizens to experience the benefits of a healthier, more active lifestyle.