In the morning of April 13, the Hangzhou Bay Wetland Running 2025 commenced, with a thousand runners weaving through lush waters and dense forests. They embraced the spring sceneries of the wetland in stride, measuring the ecological beauty of the Qianwan New Area with their footsteps.
It is reported that the wetland running featured individual and parent-child categories. Last year, slots for the parent-child group were "gone in a flash". To allow more families to participate together, this year's quota was expanded from 300 groups to 400. Though the race spanned only 4.8 kilometers, the route traversed the wetland's core area, connecting dense forests, a nature classroom, water forests, an elevated observation platform, and the "Love House" and other ecological and cultural landmarks, creating an immersive eco-experience. Participants could fully appreciate the wetland park's pristine environment up close.
At 9 a.m., as the starting gun fired, the parent-child and individual groups set off in turn. A thousand runners became "eco-ambassadors," dashing along the green paths of the Hangzhou Bay Wetland, soaking in the romance and vitality of spring. Their figures intertwined with reeds and shimmering waters, forming a dynamic ecological scroll. During the event, families bonded warmly, radiating joy, while cool running teams collaborated seamlessly, advancing together, all reveling in the joy of sports in their own ways. At the finish line, children proudly held their medals with bright smiles. Many parents noted that their kids searched for reed sprouts and observed egrets hunting during the running, completing a lesson in nature while racing.
Meanwhile, the grand lawn buzzed with excitement as a folk music concert filled the air with melodious tunes. Nearby, a cultural carnival marketplace held its own, featuring an array of unique stalls and endless laughter.
The Hangzhou Bay Wetland is one of China's eight major saline wetlands and a critical stopover on the East Asian-Australasian migratory bird flyway. As one of the first "Birdwatching Destinations of Zhejiang", the Zhejiang Hangzhou Bay National Wetland Park and its vicinity have recorded 303 bird species, including 62 listed under China's National Key Protected Wildlife Directory. "Through the innovative 'sports + ecology + cultural tourism' model, we leverage Qianwan New Area's rich ecological resources to invite the public into this vibrant wetland for a delightful weekend," said a representative from the Ningbo Qianwan New Area Bureau of Education, Culture, Sports, and Tourism.
