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The Run The Track, a half-marathon that opens the Shanghai International Circuit, known as the Formula One’s Chinese Grand Prix ran Friday. The race is a new seven-year tradition. The 2021 edition was notable due to strict COVID-19 protocols.

More than 6,000 runners who took in the event also participated in mandatory coronavirus nucleic acid tests beforehand.

On hand was a 32-person group of medical staff who made extensive contributions to China’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, including first-time participant Cui Zhiyong, who was on the front lines in the city of Wuhan.

Wang Hongwei won in the time of one-hour, seven-minutes and 45 seconds. He broke the course record with that performance, it was his third consecutive win. Zhang Hongyan won the women’s race with a time of 1:13:21.

Wang said, “In 2020, we did not have many chances to race, so I felt a little bit depressed while training, but Run The Track has now given me a chance to compete. I prepared for for a month, and my goal was to break the event record, which I have now achieved.”