Glorystar Chemicals supports charity runs and donates books to primary school students in mountainous areas
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A 3-kilometre run helps children 4,000 kilometres away read five more books.
Running and charity go hand in hand: participants could get moving and support a good cause at the same time.
At 8 a.m. on 15 August, nearly 200 runners took part in “The Happiest Runners” charity run, initiated by the Zhejiang Jinlin Charity Foundation and Zhenzhi Wedding Planning, and co-hosted by Hi Health and Manlianbang.
For every participant who completed the approximately 3-kilometre route, the Jinlin Charity Foundation donated five new books to children in Aksu, Xinjiang, in the participant’s name. Guangzhou Glorystar Chemicals Co., Ltd. provided the book-purchase funds as a designated donation.
In June, the Jinlin Charity Foundation visited Aksu, more than 4,000 kilometres from Hangzhou, to conduct research. It was surprised to find that a primary school with 400 to 500 pupils did not have a single book for extracurricular reading. This was not an isolated case in the region.
At 7.30 a.m., nearly 200 “happiest runners” lined up and prepared to set off. Participants ranged from the post-1945 generation to those born after 2000. Some were seasoned runners; others were less sporty but keen to support the cause. They gathered in pairs and groups, with men, women and children all taking part enthusiastically.
Hangzhou Joy Running Group: A large gathering of running enthusiasts in Hangzhou
Juguang Technology Volunteer Team: Running for a Good Cause
A 10-year-old boy running with his family
“The happiest runner” family portrait
At 8 a.m., after a warm-up led by team leader Zhao Yixiang, the runners set off on a charity route from the China Wetland Museum through Gaozhuang and Hezhujie to the Slow Life Neighbourhood.
Team leader Zhao Yixiang leads the runners through their warm-up.
A charity run through the lush, green Xixi wetlands
The youngest runner, aged seven, gives it his all
The event also included an interactive feature: along the route, there were four photo stops , where participants could take photos against the scenic Xixi wetlands. These pictures served as keepsakes and a memento of completing the race. The brief stops also gave runners a chance to rest and recharge. 
An enthusiastic participant takes photos of her friends on her phone
Friends pause to rest and take photos of each other
On the 3-kilometre course, some runners moved easily, while others pushed to keep up or stopped to catch their breath. But no one gave up. Finishing positions no longer mattered; what counted was using what strength we had to help children in need through a healthy activity.
At the finish line, organisers had prepared a certificate for each “happiest runner” as a thank-you for their support.
Simple yet meaningful “Certificate of Appreciation”
The staff had carefully handwritten each Certificate of Appreciation.
A family of three collects a memento at the finish line—the “happiest runners”
Alongside the “happiest runners”, nearly 40 support staff arrived early, before the earliest stated registration time of 6.20 a.m., to prepare the venue.
Before the race, volunteers helped participants get their equipment ready and reminded them of safety precautions. Once the runners set off, volunteers stood along the route to guide them and help prevent wrong turns and accidents.
To help keep the runners safe, the Deqing Mountain Eagle Rescue Team travelled from Deqing to provide on-site security and medical support for the event.
Handsome and caring volunteers
Hi Health Volunteer
Hardworking volunteers
Many people who could not attend in person also showed their support. A 75-year-old woman applied to take part three times but ultimately withdrew for safety reasons. A charity group in Beijing hoped to join remotely and contribute what it could to support reading for children in Aksu.
A total of 240 people, including runners, volunteers and other support staff, took part. At five new books per participant, the event could provide 1,200 books to children in Aksu, Xinjiang, as a new-semester gift. The books were expected to arrive in Aksu in mid-to-late September, bringing reading materials from 4,000 kilometres away.
As Wang Yunshuang, Secretary of the Party Branch of the Zhejiang Jinlin Charity Foundation, said: “We believe every happy runner loves their life, city, family and children. We also hope that people in this beautiful, happy city will show care for rural children, helping them feel less alone, grow in confidence, enjoy learning and find joy in giving back. Even a run can be a way to do that.”
