He is more than 10 years old, but he has a young heart; he insists on running for 6 years and is about to complete his 100 marathons; he has participated in many major events at home and abroad, and the personal best in Malaysia is 3 hours and 27 minutes, achieving the Chinese Marathon Grand Slam; he has formed the "Red Marathon" running group, while promoting a healthy lifestyle, but also let more people understand the history of the Red Revolution... There is a 64-year-old marathon master in Guangzhou, Zeng Xianbin, who loves running and has been active in the field of marathons since retirement, with footprints in Beijing, Wuhan, Chongqing, Guiyang and other places. Zeng Xianbin does not care how many honors he has achieved, "challenging himself and running out of health" is the goal he pursues.
By chance
Get to the marathon
Before retiring, Zeng Xianbin had a wealth of experience, he not only served as a soldier, but also served as the real estate director of a large real estate company, and achieved achievements in many fields, and now he is a sports expert. "I have been very focused on exercising since I was a child, and I often participate in various sports activities, such as swimming and playing table tennis, but I used to run less."
To talk about the connection with the marathon, we have to start with a chance opportunity. On June 23, 2016, Zeng Xianbin went to the swimming pool to swim as usual, but when he went there on the same day, he found that the pool was not open to the public due to site maintenance, so he had to go back depressed. Walking on the bank of the Pearl River, Zeng Xianbin's pace involuntarily accelerated, even catching up with a big sister running in the morning next to him. The eldest sister sighed, why can I run faster than she can? After hearing this sentence, I thought why not just try running? So, Zeng Xianbin began to jog. Unexpectedly, this run is 10 kilometers. From that day on, he fell in love with running.
Since then, Zeng Xianbin has tried to participate in the official marathon event offline. "At that time, the time was relatively close to the Guiyang Marathon, and many friends around me said that the race was difficult, and I was just a 'novice', so I suggested that I should not participate in it this time." But Zeng Xianbin said that he has a momentum to face difficulties, and the more difficult it is, the more he must try. On July 23, 2016, Zeng Xianbin stood on the field and ran 5 hours and 47 minutes.
Keep training hard
Constantly surpassing yourself
After participating in the first official marathon, Zeng Xianbin humbly learned scientific running knowledge and skills, summarized the rules in one long-distance run after another, and applied theory and experience to practice. Zeng Xianbin told reporters that for so many years, he insisted on running almost every day, no matter the wind and rain, no matter the cold and heat, his sports figure appeared on the edge of the Pearl River.
"I reported it when I saw the 'horse.'" Zeng Xianbin said with a smile that as long as there is an official marathon event offline, he will almost always sign up to participate. And every time he participates in a competition, he will comprehensively summarize every link in the competition process, as well as the training and living conditions before the competition, and record the experience in detail. It is precisely because he is good at summarizing thinking and reviewing, Zeng Xianbin continues to break through his personal best results in practice, 2016 Beijing Marathon, his results of 4 hours and 55 minutes, running into the 5-hour mark; 2017 Hainan (Sanya) International Marathon, his results of 3 hours and 55 minutes, running into the 4-hour mark.
The most proud of Zeng Xianbin was the Guangzhou Marathon in December 2018, when he broke through himself again and ran for 3 hours and 27 minutes. "According to the Chinese Athletics Association standards, '330' is a dividing line for amateur athletes, and it is not easy to run into '330'." Recalling the scenes from that year's race, he said everything was vividly remembered. At that time, in order to enhance his core strength, he got up early every day and ran more than 20 kilometers a day.
In the process of surpassing himself again and again, Zeng Xianbin constantly refreshed his personal bests, and he also won the title of elite athlete in the 60-64 age group of the Chinese Athletics Association.
Set up a "Red Marathon" running group,
Pursue a healthy lifestyle
Zeng Xianbin not only loves sports himself, but also drives people around him to exercise. "After the flower nails, I hope to have a healthy body, and I also hope to influence more people to participate in sports and contribute to a healthy society."
His younger brother weighs nearly 200 pounds and has a pain in the shoulder that he can't lift his arm, "Since 2017, I have encouraged my brother to start running. Gradually, his physical fitness was strengthened and his weight decreased. At the end of 2017, we participated in the Guangzhou Huangpu Marathon together, and we both completed the whole marathon. In 2019, Zeng Xianbin took a family of three generations to participate in the marathon, and his 7-year-old granddaughter participated in the first marathon in her life - the mini marathon.
As a veteran, Zeng Xianbin has a deep affection for revolutionary history. "After approaching marathons, I also hope to add a touch of red to the sport through my efforts." Therefore, he formed the "Red Marathon" running group and participated in many marathon activities held in various places. Zeng Xianbin's hometown, Nanxiong City, has many red spots. In this context, in 2017, he carefully designed the route, organized running groups and runners from other places, and officially held a red marathon in his hometown, connecting multiple red attractions with his footsteps. Many runners also spontaneously came to punch the clock after the race, which played a positive role in promoting the spread of local red culture and red tourism.
"For so many years, no matter how cold or hot it was, it couldn't stop me from running. I not only run on my own, but also actively motivate and encourage those around me to participate in marathons and pursue a healthy lifestyle. Zeng Xianbin said.
【Reporter Huang Lixia】
【Editor Huang Huiya】
Images courtesy of respondents
Source: Micro Community e-Home Pass Brilliant Pearl (WeChat: xxsbejtzg)