Beijing Launches Long Distance Running For Women's Day

Beijing Launches Long Distance Running For Women's Day

---

Nearly 10,000 Beijing female runners participated in a long distance race Sunday afternoon to welcome the International Working Women's Day on March 8th.

Jointly organized by the All China Women's Federation, State Sports General Administration and Beijing Women's Federation, the long distance run is in support of Beijing's bid for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The sky was clear and bright after a strong gale and sandstorm hit the city on Saturday.

Female government officials, athletes, college students, workers, news reporters, judges and other women from all walks of life ran from the Chinese History Museum on the east side of Tian'anmen Square and finished a distance of about 2.5 kilometers.

Senior officials who came to start the activity were Peng Peiyun, president of the All-China Women's Federation, Jia Qinglin, secretary of the Beijing Municipal Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and Yuan Weimin, director of the State Sports General Administration and executive president of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee.

Peng expressed her gratitude for the women's hard work in China's economic development and their efforts in sustaining social stability.

"Women have become an important force in China's economic progress and social development," she commended.

Li Qi, 6, who went with his father to visit Tian'anmen Square, watched the ceremony with great interest.

"I hope Beijing will get the chance to host the 2008 Olympic Games," he said. "And may Chinese athletes win more gold medals!"