First-generation runner witnesses evolution of China's marathon over 4 decades

Witnessing the development in China's marathon over the past 40 years, Luo Minqin, one of the earliest women to participate in marathon races, has a dream of returning to the marathon race again as she approaches the age of 70.

TIANJIN -- Luo Minqin hasn't run a marathon for several years, but her legend is still well-known by many runners.

Luo was one of the earliest women to participate in marathon races in China. In the first Tianjin Marathon in 1981, she, at 25, was the champion of the women's group.

As a physical education teacher at a middle school in Tianjin, Luo loved sports and enjoyed running, but she had only officially participated in a 5,000-meter race. She and the vast majority of her contemporaries had never heard of the marathon event and had no idea of running over 40 kilometers.

Out of curiosity, Luo signed up for the inaugural Tianjin Marathon.

For the first 20 kilometers, she ran with a group of male runners, feeling proud and confident. However, after running 30 kilometers, her body had a severe reaction, vomiting continuously and feeling as if her legs were filled with lead.

For her safety, the staff of the organizing committee urged her to give up. Ambulances and medical personnel were on standby. But her strong-willed character and the cheers from the crowd enabled her to cross the finish line.

With a time of 4:26.34, she was the first to finish in the women's group. This final result might seem insignificant for now, but 43 years ago, there were very few people involved in marathon running in China, and women who dared to stand on the marathon course were even rarer.