Taizhou gets moving for National Fitness Day

Runners jog along a river in Taizhou, Jiangsu. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

Aug 8 marked China's 18th National Fitness Day, and Taizhou, Jiangsu, was buzzing with energy as residents took to sports venues, riversides and other activity spaces across the city.

Public sports facilities across Taizhou opened their doors to residents for free or at reduced rates, while sports associations organized a variety of activities.

At the Taizhou Sports Center, residents could play badminton, basketball and tennis free of charge. In the city's Medical High-Tech Zone, the Sports and Cultural Center offered free access throughout the day to its squash courts, pickleball courts, billiards rooms and soccer pitches, among other facilities.

People enjoy the fun of kayaking on the Fengcheng River in Taizhou, Jiangsu. [Photo/Taizhou Daily]

Early in the morning, the Taizhou Running Association organized a riverside jog. When the runners reached a designated splash zone, they grabbed their water guns and buckets and turned the run into a playful water fight. Afterward, they took to the water on paddleboards and folding boats, enjoying a refreshing taste of water sports on the calm river.

The fitness festivities continued into the afternoon. At a local hotel, the Taizhou Sports Dance Association staged a special performance, bringing the rhythm and energy of sports dance to the celebration.