Sweat perfume mixed with the scent of spring earth when the damp, cooling air was inhaled. A bunch of people wearing fluorescent green sprint along the beautiful lake in the Guangzhou International Bio Island perspiringprofusely yet grinning broadly. They are currently taking part in the annually held “HFI Charity Run” at the International Bio Island in Guangzhou.

Held on March 4, 2023, the Charity Run attracted more than 400 socially conscious people who are passionate about sports. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Charity Run has been halted for three years. With the slogan "Blessed to Share and Run for Love", HFI students, adults, teachers, former alumni, and children in the orphanage regathered for the event with even more enthusiasm this year.

To tailor to each individual's ability, the Charity Run includes a professional half marathon group race and a 6.6-kilometer fun run. As a charitable activity , the Charity Run not only can encourage more people to run and keep fit but also raise money for the children in the orphanage. According to statistics, a total of 3 million RMB has been raised from the International Day series since 2014, and allof the donations have been handed over to the Guangzhou Social Welfare Institute by representatives of the International Department: the Family Council, the Student Council, and the following sponsors. The donations indicate that no matter how fast people run, the aspiration for running remains the same for everyone: running for love.

Experienced runners challenge themselves to run for more than 21 kilometers. With the siren whistled by the presidents of HFI, groups of participants wearing professional sportswear start to stride forward. Each step they take is accompanied by a clear shaking of their muscles , demonstrating their strengths and exuberance. However, in the second half of the marathon, their jogging steps are becoming more and more strenuous as sweat drips down their faces. Despite the weariness and monotony, participants encourage one another. Overshadowed by the metasequoia , the scarlet running track beside the placid lake is always imbued with high-spirited cheering: "Hang on!" "The last five kilometers!" "Adjust your breathing! You can do it!".

Volunteers who are holding standposts to indicate the kilometers runners have achieved are also absorbing the inexhaustible source of wisdom, beauty, and spiritual nourishment from the serene surroundings while yelling encouragements to the competitors. When the whole group finally makes a dash for the finish line, the group members embrace each other heartily to express genuine appreciation and cordial joy.

The champion of the professional competition is Team Rampage, which completes the course in two hours, ten minutes, and twelve seconds. Yet, the competitors give the competition's charitable component greater attention. "As individuals, we can run faster over greater distances; however, we attempt to form groups as we want to fully enjoy the charitable activity and feel the solidarity in contributing to social issues," a professional marathon runner commented.

In comparison, the atmosphere is significantly more relaxed in the fun run group. Following a dynamic warm-up, amateur runners began to run in laughter. Students jogged with their companions while engaging in light conversations and sharing amusing jokes; parents took photos to document the tranquil environment and efforts of running during the breaks; alumni gathered to retrace the blissful memories of previous years on the running tracks . One of the alumnus’ parents said, "The last time we met with other parents was three years ago, when there was no Coronavirus. Soit’s a precious opportunity for us to party together and chat about our daily lives." She continued, "Meeting old friends helps awaken those recollections of when our children were studying at HFI and we were having fun with them in HFI Auctions five years ago, which was so amusing." Then they burst into laughter simultaneously. Year by year , the running track has been molded by myriads of unbridled laughter , teenagers’ passions, and adults’ perseverance.

The yielding writhes of the bamboos and willows are ruffled by the ensuing wind in this instance , whispering balderdash related to the trails people have blazed : persistence, reminiscence, cohesion, and the most important one—love. Although the charity running event is over, the love people experience and express while running will flow incessantly along the halcyon river, incessantly.

Love

"Run, run, run." "Run for love!"

"As the Director of the Children's Welfare Institute, I’m exceptionally grateful for all the active fundraising efforts!"

Cohesion

"My son has already graduated from HFI, so it’s a precious opportunity for me to meet and party with other parents of that time."

"Charity Run builds a bridge for all the students and teachers to promote friendship."

Breakthrough

"I did it! Twenty-one kilometers!"

"It’s hard to believe that I have walked more than ten kilometersinone go, which is approximately the total distance I walked last month."

Acknowledgements:

Writers: Bonnie Liu

Content Proposers: Bonnie Liu

Editors: Morgan Lin, Annie Liu

Photos by: Tracy Chen, Hanny Lin