On the morning of April 26, Municipal Party Committee Secretary, Liu Yuegao, announced the start..

At 8:38 a.m., the thunderous crack of the starter 's pistol sent over 6,000 runners surging forward like arrows unleashed, charging toward the finish line, which ignited the atmosphere with thunderous applause .

Co-organized by the Hengyang Municipal Committee of CPC and the Hengyang Municipal People's Government, the 5-kilometer circuit race commenced at Shanshan Outlets Plaza, and went through Shuguang Road, Yinyan Road, and Xitiange West Road before returning to the starting point. A record number of participants from diverse groups competed in 16 categories, including c1ity government and enterprise employees, students and staff of various schools, individual businesses, and outdoor running clubs.

Notably, marathon associations and running clubs from 14 cities (prefectures), including Changsha, Shaoyang, Xiangtan, Loudi, Yiyang, and Xiangxi, were invited to participate. They explored the beautiful scenery of "Yancheng" on foot and put the slogan "Free weekend ？ Visit Hengyang!" into action through running. "It's the weekend, and I specifically brought my child here for this experiential event. After the run, we can visit nearby attractions and enjoy authentic Hengyang cuisine," said a runner from Loudi while warming up.

The competition employed an electronic chip timing system to record results, from when they crossed the start to the finish line. Incentives were given out in multiple categories: The top 20 finishers in each category - college students, the public, government employees, and out - of - town runners groups - received bonuses and certificates from the organizing committee. The top 40 in the worker group were rewarded.For primary and middle school student groups and others, relevant units determined and awarded prizes. Participating organizations could also reward those who ranked highly.

Since its first shot in 1958, the Hengyang Ring - City Race has evolved in lockstep with the city's urban development. Transforming from a New Year long-distance race with just over a thousand participants to a comprehensive brand event integrating cultural tourism experiences and catering to all age groups, it has grown into a cherished civic institution deeply rooted in citizens' lives.