Recently, the 2026 Suzhou “No. 1 Road around Taihu Lake” New Year Run was held in Wuzhong District, Suzhou, East China’s Jiangsu province. Under warm winter sunshine, 4,000 participants set off on a picturesque run along the famed No. 1 Road around Taihu Lake, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new with energetic strides.
The event, themed “Gathering at Taihu, Striving for a New Journey,” was sponsored by the Wuzhong District Bureau of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Suzhou Wuzhong Cultural Tourism Development Group. It offered participants an opportunity to experience the unique charm of the No. 1 Road around Taihu Lake.
The running enthusiasts across different age groups participated in two groups: 2,000 in the 10-kilometer “New Year Greeting” run, and the others in the 5-kilometer “Lucky Star” run.
As the starting signal sounded, the crowd surged forward like swift horses. Determined and agile runners set a brisk pace, while families in the parent-child run filled the air with laughter and joy, savoring both the thrill of sport and the festive spirit of the New Year.
The route design was a highlight of the event: both courses began at the platform of Suzhou Bay · Swan Harbor and wound through breathtaking, water-hugging scenery along the road. Runners moved through what felt like a living landscape painting, with the exhilaration of the run heightened by the serene winter views of Taihu Lake.
At the finish, the top three male and female runners in the 10-kilometer group received special New Year gift packs featuring distinctive Jiangnan characteristics, while all participants in the 5-kilometer run were awarded commemorative, customized finisher gifts, each carrying best wishes for the year ahead.
Throughout the event, participants benefited from attentive support and well-organized services: volunteers in bright red vests provided warm assistance, while police officers, medics, and sanitation workers braved the cold to ensure the run proceeded safely and smoothly.
Meanwhile, the “Baodai Market” brought together featured hotels, B&Bs, and restaurants from along the No. 1 Road, showcasing Suzhou’s rich intangible cultural heritage and local delicacies. Traditional sports activities, such as pitch-pot and archery, attracted many runners and residents from surrounding areas.
As a popular outdoor sports destination in the Yangtze River Delta region, the Wuzhong section of the No. 1 Road around Taihu Lake boasts outstanding natural resources and diverse activities throughout the year. As a mass fitness event, the run has further strengthened integration and added depth to the cultural dimension of sports and tourism, vividly reflecting the development philosophy that “lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets.” Looking ahead, Wuzhong District will continue to enhance the appeal of the No. 1 Road around Taihu Lake, improve supporting services, and launch more projects that integrate culture, sports, and tourism for the public.
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