|

On March 28, the 2026 "Lanting Fresh Air" Zheli Countryside Healthy Run kicked off its first stop of the year in Wangtan, a town in Keqiao district at the foot of Kuaiji Mountain in Shaoxing. Over 1,600 running enthusiasts from across the country participated in the event.

Over a thousand runners set off from the starting line. [Photo/Tide News]

The race was divided into three categories: a 10-kilometer sprint, a 6-km health run, and a 3-km family run. The scenic course passed through notable rural tourism attractions such as the Xiaoshun River’s source, Shunwang Temple, and Dayue Mountain Organic Tea Garden. Prizes highlighted local flavors, including miniature pigs, farm-raised sheep, and free-range poultry.

The race venue also hosted rural markets and traditional village feasts, drawing large crowds. A Wangtan town official highlighted the area's pristine natural environment, which is protected as a designated drinking water source zone. The region boasts a rich selection of organic tea, eco-friendly rice, and high-altitude fruits and vegetables, encouraging participants to explore and shop for local specialties.

Participants run along Kuaiji Mountain, immersing themselves in the refreshing beauty and vitality of spring amid verdant hills and clear waters. [Photo/Tide News]

“Lanting Fresh Air” is a sports-and-tourism brand launched by Shaoxing’s Lanting Cultural and Tourism Resort to promote the integrated development of sports, rural industries, and tourism, drawing on Lanting’s rich cultural heritage and the ecological resources of its forest parks.

Alongside the race, organizers launched the "Explore Keqiao with the Race" campaign, offering participants free shuttle bus rides to major attractions and shopping areas in Keqiao district. The aim of the event is to stimulate tourism and consumption, supporting the broader goal of rural prosperity.