YINCHUAN, Sep. 6 (Xinhua) -- "Cycling 600 kilometers in 6 days! A wonderful trip to Qinghai Lake!" On 75-year-old Gu Dawo's WeChat Moments, this latest post has earned more than 100 likes. "It's not only an experience but also a challenge for me to complete the riding tour," Gu said of his first long ride on highlands over 3,000 meters above sea level.
With white hair, sunglasses and professional sportswear, Gu is greeted by many people as he goes past them.
Gu is popular in sporting circles of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. In addition to running, he also enjoys cycling and swimming. He has competed in marathons in Beijing, Shanghai, Xiamen and other cities, and showed up as the oldest pacer at the International Marathon in Yinchuan, capital city of Ningxia. Gu also went to Tennessee in the United States alone to compete in a triathlon.
Gu developed the habit of exercising very early. When he worked in Yinchuan and Shenzhen, he always ran or cycled to work. "Exercise makes people healthy. Some people around my age suffer from cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. I pay more attention to maintain a good body and good mentality through exercise," Gu said.
"I began to run marathons when I was 68," said Gu. In 2013, he met Yin Jie, head of a running club in Ningxia, and they often exercised together. Also a runner, Yin encouraged Gu to try the marathon, which piqued his interest. At first, Gu didn't know much about marathons, but after training, he registered for the International Half Marathon in Hangzhou in 2013 and finished it in 1 hour, 58 minutes and 59 seconds. Since then, Gu has run several marathons across China, and began to take part in competitions abroad in 2017.
"Now, I participate in eight to 10 races a year. I ran one triathlon and three marathons in a month last year," said Gu, who hopes to compete in the next Boston Marathon.
"It's more important to enjoy the process," Gu added. "You can take pictures and enjoy the view so as to relax yourself when you go to different places to participate in competitions. It's also important to display sportsmanship. During the cycling portion of one triathlon, a competitor in front of me fell, and I immediately stopped to help him."
Gu also says that exercising makes him feel young and healthy.
"Gu is a living example of the sportsmanship of 'if others can do it, I can do it'. It is very impressive," said Yin. Enditem
