Adhere to integrity and innovate, and adapt to the times.

While some cities forge ahead and capture attention, others focus inward and maintain their unique identity. By preserving its heritage and pursuing innovation, Hengyang has transformed a long-standing tradition into a modern symbol of city pride.

Originating in 1958, the Hengyang City-Circling Run has become a flowing genetic chain, weaving together the collective memories of generations and solidifying its status as the most iconic sports IP of the "Wild Goose City" (Hengyang’s nickname)

On April 26, as the starting gun echoed once again along the banks of the Xiang River, the 2025 Hengyang Spring City-Circling Run— a nostalgic, citywide sporting event— embarked on a new journey of urban branding with an innovative "sports + culture + tourism" approach. Riding the momentum of the third Hunan Tourism Development Conference, Hengyang has mastered the art of "writing the second half of the story": only by allowing classic IPs to sprout contemporary relevance can a city elevate its visibility and influence, thereby cultivating new competitive advantages through integrated development.

Run for Hengyang, Leap into Health

As health becomes a core driver of modern urban development, Hengyang— a southern Hunan city— is actively exploring new dimensions of urban growth through running.

Hengyang is using citywide running events as a foundation to promote a new healthy lifestyle. The colorful crowds running in the spring breeze symbolize the city's vitality and represent an innovative approach to integrating fitness into urban governance.

From the people-friendly promises of the "Health Management Year" to the strategic plan of building a "Strong Sports City", this spring running event is creating three types of value. It shows that health is an important part of urban development, it continues to develop the "Hengyang Sports" brand, and it turns people's projects into cultural symbols of the city.

With over 6,000 runners passing through the city's landmarks, this event with a record number of participants is showing the strong rhythm of the city's high-quality development through their solid steps.

Empowered by technology, the track goes "smart"

As digital waves sweep across the Xiangjiang River, this national innovative city is writing an urban evolution theory on its loop track.

The Hengyang City-Circling Run is not ordinary. It shows the city's smart side.

Not only are there robot "running companions" competing side-by-side with professional athletes, but also a three-dimensional safety net has been woven with the help of technology: drones are patrolling in the sky, intelligent devices are monitoring on the ground, and grid-based police forces are on patrol. These multiple safeguards ensure the race is in good order. An emergency cycling team was ready for action.

Elders and children celebrated by tapping smart bracelets, while professional chips recorded data and the crowd cheered. These tech elements enhanced the event, showed Hengyang's digital transformation, and highlighted its goal of using technology to create a better life.

Experience Upgraded, City Accelerates.

Development builds on heritage, and running signals breakthrough.

In recent years, Hengyang has upheld the principle of "Health through Hard Work". It has advanced the integration of fitness and urban growth, and sped up the building of a multi-level sports facility network. Leveraging its unique mountains and waters, the city has designed beautiful tracks. These let runners enjoy its ecology and enhance their immersive experience.

From the cultural depth of the "Millennium Wild Goose City" to the vitality of the "Sports City", from the evolution of the "Hengyang City-Circling Run" to the "Hengyang Marathon" brand upgrade, and from a great event to a city's all-round progress, we can see that Hengyang is finding balance between heritage and innovation. It is creating a "Hengyang speed" in integrating culture, tourism and sports.

Run Forever, Classics Stay New

As runners' footsteps wake the ancient city at dawn, Hengyang runs to the rhythm of spring. After over 60 years, this run not only promotes citizens' health and urban renewal but also fosters the "sports + cultural tourism" industry.

With culture as its core and innovation as its wings, Hengyang sprints forward. It turns history into future energy, proving that such a city remains forever young and full of possibilities.