At 7:30 AM yesterday, the 2026 China Athletics Association 10K Elite Race (Beijing · Haidian Station) commenced. The event was designed to meet World Athletics label race standards, with the core theme “Run Freely Through the Three Hills and Five Gardens, Chase Dreams in Vibrant Haidian.” It featured two main categories: a 10K elite race and an approximately 5K fun run, attracting 6,000 runners to gather in Haidian.

The race route was meticulously designed to reflect Haidian’s three core characteristics: technological innovation, historical heritage, and ecological livability. It cleverly connected landmarks of innovation, classical gardens, and ecological corridors, creating a unique running path with “a different view at every step and a new theme every kilometer.” Runners started from the Zhongguancun National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone Exhibition and Trading Center, immersing themselves in the modern vitality and innovative spirit of the tech park. They passed by the New Palace Gate of the Summer Palace, experiencing a collision of history and modernity. Running along Blue Indigo Factory North Road and the Jingmi Diversion Canal, they were accompanied by the poetic beauty of shimmering water and ecological landscapes.

To allow runners to experience the event’s atmosphere and Haidian’s cultural vibrancy, the organizing committee set up over 10 public cultural performance points along the route. Programs such as waist drum dancing, softball, Chinese martial arts, cheerleading, dragon and lion dances, and tai chi with umbrellas were performed in succession, ensuring “cheers every kilometer and surprises throughout the journey.” Furthermore, the event specifically included a University Challenge within the 10K race, open to full-time university students nationwide. Customized bibs were provided for these participants, and a university cheer wall was set up. Rewards were given based on the University Challenge rankings after the race, widely encouraging young students to participate actively. This aimed to unite youthful energy through sports, highlight Haidian’s innovative vitality and talent advantages, and contribute to building a youth-friendly city.

The exclusive 49.5-meter post-finish experience condensed the essence of Haidian’s “technology + culture + ecology” character. In this dedicated channel, the organizing committee arranged warm services and highlight moments: in the Honor Passage area, university students formed a “Youth Relay” applause tunnel to cheer for the runners; a professional photography team provided finish line photo services for runners to download and share; the celebration and interaction area featured cultural performances with Haidian characteristics, alternating between folk music and Chinese drum performances, combining movement and stillness to create a lively atmosphere.

A small race bib also helped stimulate urban consumption. Haidian District innovatively created a “Bib Economy,” collaborating with 243 merchants and organizations including scenic spots, commercial districts, hotels, and cultural and sports venues to offer discounts. To extend the “Bib Economy” into diverse consumption scenarios, the organizing committee held a race carnival at the Century Golden Resources Mall from April 4th to 6th. It brought together over 30 brands as well as organizations including the District Youth League Committee, District Agriculture and Rural Affairs Bureau, and Haidian Culture and Tourism Group. Runners could enjoy dining and shopping discounts by showing their bibs, and interactive activities like “Bib Prize Draws” were set up on-site. This created a one-stop experience of “running + consumption + entertainment,” fostering a positive cycle where the event gathers commerce and commerce promotes the event.

Three Hills and Five Gardens

“Three Hills and Five Gardens” (三山五园) refers to a historic complex of imperial gardens and palaces in the western suburbs of Beijing, China. Constructed primarily during the Qing Dynasty (18th-19th centuries), it served as a summer retreat and administrative center for emperors. The site, which includes the ruins of the Old Summer Palace (Yuanmingyuan), was largely destroyed by Anglo-French forces in 1860 during the Second Opium War.

Zhongguancun National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone Exhibition and Trading Center

The Zhongguancun National Independent Innovation Demonstration Zone Exhibition and Trading Center is a key facility in Beijing’s Zhongguancun area, often called “China’s Silicon Valley.” It serves as a major showcase and hub for promoting high-tech innovation, entrepreneurship, and technology trade. Historically, it emerged from the broader Zhongguancun initiative launched in the 1980s, which evolved from an electronics market into a state-level strategy to drive China’s indigenous technological advancement.

Summer Palace

The Summer Palace is a vast imperial garden in Beijing, China, originally built in 1750 during the Qing Dynasty. It was designed as a luxurious retreat for the royal family, but was largely destroyed by Anglo-French forces in 1860 and later rebuilt by Empress Dowager Cixi. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its harmonious blend of pavilions, temples, bridges, and the expansive Kunming Lake.

New Palace Gate of the Summer Palace

The New Palace Gate is the main entrance to Beijing’s Summer Palace, originally constructed in 1750 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. It was rebuilt in 1886 after the garden complex was severely damaged by Anglo-French allied forces, and it continues to serve as the primary gateway for visitors to this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Blue Indigo Factory North Road

The Blue Indigo Factory on North Road is a historic site in Shanghai, China, once central to the city’s textile dyeing industry in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the restored factory complex serves as a vibrant creative arts and cultural hub, preserving its industrial architecture while housing galleries, studios, and shops.

Jingmi Diversion Canal

The Jingmi Diversion Canal is a major water project in Beijing, constructed primarily between 1956 and 1966. It channels water from the Miyun Reservoir in the north to supply the capital city, playing a critical role in addressing its chronic water shortages. The canal represents a significant achievement in modern Chinese hydraulic engineering and remains vital for Beijing’s municipal water supply and ecological health.

Century Golden Resources Mall

Century Golden Resources Mall is a large shopping center located in Beijing, China, which opened in 2004. It gained international attention for a period as one of the world’s largest malls by gross leasable area, though it notably struggled with low occupancy for many years after its opening. Its history reflects the rapid development and occasional overexpansion of China’s retail sector in the early 21st century.

Haidian Culture and Tourism Group

The Haidian Culture and Tourism Group is a state-owned enterprise established to manage and promote cultural and tourism resources within Beijing’s Haidian District, a major hub for education, technology, and historical sites. Its history is tied to the modern development and integrated management of the district’s attractions, which include renowned places like the Summer Palace and Fragrant Hills. The group focuses on enhancing visitor experiences, preserving cultural heritage, and driving regional tourism development.