2019 guangzhou marathon final run in front of me to finish

This is the record of my Guangzhou Marathon at the age of 24.

It doesn't represent before 24, because I can't go back.

It doesn't represent after 24 either, next year I will be 18+7 years old.

This is the present, only the present.

"The kind of person you are determines the kind of people you meet."I've heard this countless times, and it has truly happened in my life.I am just one of the 1.4 billion people, ordinary as can be.In life, I meet many people. After being filtered by time again and again, a group of people remain. In front of them, I don't need to pretend to be quiet or fake a smile 24/7. I can be myself, and thus, I meet people like me.

I successfully registered for the 2019 Guangzhou Marathon and got a spot.

"Panpan, the Guangzhou Marathon is recruiting pacers, should we sign up?"

Me:"Sign up."

Why sign up to be an official pacer for the Guangzhou Marathon?

Because it's Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong.Even though I go to Guangzhou on weekends, or transfer there on business trips, or go there for good food, running the Guangzhou Marathon is a different experience.Running in the provincial capital is a source of pride and fulfillment, and it's my wish for this year.

One day, I received an email saying, "Congratulations on being selected as an official pacer for the 2019 Guangzhou Marathon."I don't know how other pacers felt when they received the email, but I read it over and over again.

I, Liu Xiao'er, have been selected as an official pacer for the Guangzhou Marathon!

Before the race, I picked up my race pack. Holding my Taiwan Compatriot Permit, I printed out the collection receipt, but the volunteer said the number didn't exist. I then went to the information desk, where Staff Member A looked at my number and asked, "Are you a pacer?"

Me: "Yes, I am."

Staff Member A: Don't worry, do you have two numbers? You need to collect your pacer number. Wait a moment, I'll confirm it for you.

I obediently waited at the information desk. After successfully collecting my number bib, Staff Member A said, "You're a pacer! It's my first time seeing a Guangzhou Marathon pacer, I'm so happy..." The staff were very enthusiastic, confirming my number bib with great diligence and speaking so warmly that I felt like I was meeting an old friend.

The next step after collecting the number bib was to check the chip. Oh no, my chip couldn't detect my personal information. The volunteer quickly took me to the chip window to resolve the issue. Their diligence left a very good impression on me. Thanks to Staff Member A and the volunteers, I smoothly collected my Guangzhou Marathon race pack.

I will do my best in the race and not let myself or everyone who supports me down.

The official pacer meet-up was at 2:30 PM on December 7th. I looked forward to meeting all the pacers and my six other partners.

Loving life and loving running, I ran to the pacer meet-up because I was running late.

My brother Jiahao texted me half an hour in advance, but I was still stuck in traffic. As soon as I got out of the car, I ran madly towards the main stage of the meet-up.

I received the invitation letter, met my group partners, and attended the meeting. This was the most important thing before the race to ensure we could complete the closing task on race day. Closing means being the last pacers, following the committee's requirement to clock in every five kilometers at the designated time, leading and accompanying runners.

We started as the last row of runners in Zone D to take care of more slow-paced runners, helping them complete the 2019 Guangzhou Marathon. Additionally, the closing pacers had a special number bib that said, "Official Marathon Pacer, finish ahead of me to complete the race."

This year at the Guangzhou Marathon, our group of seven closing pacers participated with the runners. We were both runners and companions, participating with dual identities. It was an honor and a role model.

Let me introduce the seven closing pacers one by one.

First: Li Yijie

The leader of the closing group, we all call her Xiuxiu. A week before the race, Xiuxiu called me to discuss pre- and post-race matters. She also explained the details and tasks we needed to pay attention to as the 6:15 closing group in our WeChat group.

She is an excellent leader and a very beautiful girl. Running the Guangzhou Marathon with Xiuxiu is both fate and a destined encounter.

Second: Liu Yanfang

Xiaofang was my old partner as the full marathon closing pacer at the Taiyuan Marathon this year. We had great chemistry as partners in Taiyuan, and we have great chemistry as partners in Guangzhou. We calculate time together, cheer for the runners, interact with them, and even drink a bowl of ginger soup together.

A comment on social media said: You look so much like runner 7008; Panpan, did you cut your hair short again?

This time, I didn't cut my hair short, but people with a connection often look alike. Running has brought me to meet like-minded people. Loving life and loving running, I found warmth in the winter.

Third: Pei Weimin

This is my "Uncle Pei," a pacer in a different group at the 2018 Lanzhou Marathon. Along the way, Uncle Pei acted as a tour guide, explaining Guangzhou to everyone. Running on the streets of Guangzhou, not only were there volunteers and security personnel, but also Uncle Pei, the leader and explainer. This was more direct than reading history books and deepened my memory of Flower City Guangzhou.

"Do you know why the roadsides are fenced off?"

Me: "I don't know, why?"

"The wind is strong by the sea, so they block it to prevent the wind."

"This place is..."

Along the way, Uncle Pei taught us a lot about Guangzhou's history. During the race, the roads of Guangzhou belonged to our closing group, and we could admire Guangzhou's architecture at will.

Fourth: Wang Xiaobai

Xiaobaibai, a gold medal pacer and newly crowned trail running queen. She once finished a marathon crying, but hard work pays off. Xiaobaibai grew from a novice runner to a marathon runner, then to an official marathon pacer, and finally to a trail runner. The more effort you put in, the luckier you get. Time never fails those who are diligent and disciplined.

After the race, I saw Xiaobaibai so exhausted that she fell asleep on the dining table. Closing is tough, but our hearts are sweet. This is something worth doing. I wish Xiaobaibai to keep moving forward on her running journey and become the best version of herself.

Fifth: Song Chuan

We all call him "Xiaohua." Xiaohua is recognized as the warm guy in our group. He took videos and photos for everyone along the way and encouraged the runners. He is a qualified closing pacer.

Actually, I am especially grateful to Codoon because through Codoon, I met Xiaohua. We had added each other on WeChat for a long time, but this was the first time we met and partnered in the same group. I felt very lucky.

Everyone has their own sports tracking app. Choose the one that suits you best. We are our own center. What fits is what suits. Of course, I established Xiao'er's "Hua Fen Running Group" on Codoon, where I share benefits with everyone from time to time.

Sixth: Wu Shengming

"Panpan, are you here yet?" Xiao Wu called me. The only one missing from the meet-up was me.

Voice call, "Di di di..."

"I'm here."

This is my group partner Xiao Wu. During the race, if you call him "Brother Ming," he won't respond. If you call him "Xiao Wu," he won't respond either. But if you call him "Handsome," he will immediately turn around. Yes, boys like to be called handsome, and girls like to be called beautiful. It's our nature. We both live in Shenzhen. After running the Guangzhou Marathon, we will run the Shenzhen Marathon together. Xiao Wu runs a full marathon every week, which is very admirable.

On the Shenzhen Marathon course, if you call out "Handsome" and someone turns around, it's definitely Xiao Wu. See you on Shennan Avenue.

The volunteers at the supply stations were very enthusiastic. After drinking the supplies, I had to thank them. I was so happy that my voice was hoarse, so I did the Mo Farah heart gesture.

After the half marathon and full marathon split, the entire road belonged to the seven of us. The volunteers saw us as if they saw "hope." They kept shouting GA YOU. With the right time, place, and people, I give the Guangzhou Marathon full marks.

The official supplies on the course gave us the opportunity to "eat, drink, and play" at the Guangzhou Marathon. They even prepared a lot of warm baby stickers, which were truly loved by the runners. The private supplies on the course moved us even more. Children on the roadside held trays with "drinks, raisins, small bread, small tomatoes..." There was also eight-treasure porridge and ginger soup. After drinking the ginger soup, I was filled with new strength.

We thanked the security personnel, who were a bit shy but also replied that we worked hard and cheered us on. Every step we took as the closing group was very meaningful, thanks to the security personnel who protected us.

In many races, people often say you run too fast because slow runners are afraid of being closed out, afraid of not finishing the race and not getting the finisher's medal.

What did my partners and I do? We encouraged runners who had no physical problems, cheered them on. After finishing, they could post on social media, eat, sleep, watch movies, and receive finisher's medals and many race photos. For runners who cramped or got injured but kept running, we explained the situation to the medical staff and handed them over to the medical staff, then continued running.

"Keep going, this is 30 kilometers."

"35 kilometers, clock in, just run with us to finish."

"40 kilometers, only 2 kilometers left."

"41 kilometers, only 1 kilometer left, even if you walk, you have to finish."

"500 meters left, and you can get the Guangzhou Marathon finisher's medal."

"Countdown 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1"

At this moment, Teacher Cui Lu had been waiting for us at the finish line for a long time. In 6 hours and 15 minutes, we crossed the finish line, and the Guangzhou Marathon ended perfectly. Next time, see you next year.

At the moment of reaching the finish line, all words melted into heartfelt hugs.

While eating, I received a call from Churan, telling me to go back to Shenzhen after eating. Okay, I'll eat quickly and go home for a good sleep.

Brother Tao Tao, the 3:30 pacer for this Guangzhou Marathon, is also a member of the "Run with You" team. He and Wuzei are absolute C-positions in my heart. Sincerity is the impression he left on me. In a race with over 30,000 people coming and going, the most memorable thing is seeing each other in a race and being able to greet each other, not just liking each other's posts.

How do people make friends? Through sincerity. Spending too much time online makes us forget the real people standing in front of us and forget what we are like in real life.

In my heart, friends I've met in person are very precious. After all, everyone in my WeChat list is a friend, and real friends will meet someday.