Race Day

We found out on Wednesday that there was a 4k fun run in Jingmen and some of the company was going to participate. Steve obviously said he would run and several others volunteered as well.

We left this morning for a crazy ride with TONS of traffic into the town to prepare for the race. We almost missed it since we had to park so far away from the venue. It was amazing seeing so many people.

A drone picture from the race website. Mind boggling how many people were there.

We stopped for a couple of photos while the announcements finished up. Then the race started. Most people were running with a group so they had matching outfits and even flags with their company logos. The music was pumping and teams started crossing the start line. It took about 30 minutes for everyone to get to and cross the start line.

Steve and the girls - they were concerned that he would be cold.

Aloong Race Team - Ready for Action

And they're off!

I held ALL the coats. I had quite a few stares since I was walking around wearing an Air Force jacket and carrying an arm load of them too! I started watching for finishers but it seemed to be taking longer than I was expecting.

Me - trying to look innocent as the police eye me suspiciously!

About that time Stephen came up behind me. (I was at the wrong finish line) but he took 2nd place! Also the race was more of a 7k than a 4k. Thankfully the crowd forced him to start out slowly. He and the man who won actually passed the pace car. What fun! Then he was stretched by some Chinese sports therapists.

More stretching than normal for Steve

They had vendors walking around giving out prizes. We snagged two of these stuffed things. Not quite sure what they are! And Steve was stopped for a picture with the yogurt.

As we waited for the rest of our teammates to finish, people kept taking pictures of us. I believe we were the only non-Chinese in the entire area. To top it off his picture appeared not once but twice on the race website! I wanted to share the website but...censorship...so I copied the photos of him. NO ONE else is pictured individually.

Literal translation from race website: "The foreign friend's body is really good. In early March, the cold in the spring was pressing. Short sleeved and shorts contrast with the black jacket"

Literal translation from race website: "Hahaha, this photo was given a hundred percent"

Yes, yes. My husband is a rock star here! We have never been this popular in our lives.