Apart from the 800-meter physical test in sports exams and college, Song Jixing hadn't participated in any formal sports activities before.
To prepare for this competition, Song Jixing did some pre-race preparations.
The marathon is divided into full marathon, half marathon, and quarter marathon, with the full marathon being 42.195 kilometers.
The Y City race had both full and half marathons, with the half marathon scheduled in the morning and the full marathon in the afternoon.
The timing was perfectly staggered, so Song Jixing signed up for both.
Before participating in the race, Song Jixing specifically bought a new pair of sports shoes and a simple sportswear. The weather was still warm, with most people wearing jackets on the streets.
Song Jixing was no exception, wearing a warm long coat, looking completely different from the well-dressed and sporty people around.
Marathon enthusiasts from Y City gathered in groups, chatting and discussing topics related to the marathon.
"Oh no, I have some bad news for you! I just saw two African brothers at the race venue."
"Where?"
"Just over there, near the volunteers! Sigh, they are here to make some money again!"
Song Jixing checked the world records of marathon races on her phone and overheard a few conversations.
The holders of the marathon long-distance world records were often African athletes, and they were not uncommon in international competitions, which gave rise to many African professional long-distance runners.
They frequented marathons in various cities and won top prizes with their amazing talents.
Although this kind of participation method tainted the essence of the marathon races, they earned it with their abilities.
The marathon enthusiasts in Y City were lamenting the fact that the grand prize was out of reach this time. Song Jixing silently looked at the half marathon world record—57 minutes!
Song Jixing put away her phone, coat, and other miscellaneous items, and waited for the marathon race to begin.
With a loud whistle, the participants wearing colorful sports clothes and bib numbers on their chests rushed out like arrows shot from a bow.
Song Jixing blended into the crowd, jogging at a steady pace.
As the crowd surged forward, Song Jixing started to accelerate.
In less than a minute, she surpassed most of the people and caught sight of the African athletes mentioned earlier.
Song Jixing didn't pay them much attention and left them behind.
Running like this, half an hour passed.
This marathon race took place along the lakeside loop in Y City, with volunteers and medical personnel stationed at intervals along the route.
Song Jixing maintained a considerable lead and gradually slowed down her pace.
Although she had good physical stamina, she had been sweating profusely since the start of the race.
An enthusiastic volunteer girl jogged over and handed a bottle of water to Song Jixing, saying, "Hello, would you like some water?"
"Thank you!" Song Jixing took the bottle of mineral water and chugged it down.
Perhaps she drank the water too quickly, which surprised the volunteer girl next to her. "Do you want more?"
"Yes!"
"Then wait for me! I'll bring it to you!" The volunteer sister ran a distance, panting for breath.
Song Jixing stood in place, jogging on the spot. "Alright."
Drenched in sweat, Song Jixing had a unique beauty as he stood under the sunlight, radiating a dazzling aura.
The volunteer sister was stunned!
How could this be?
He's waiting for her?
The volunteer sister said, "You go ahead! I'll catch up with you later!"
Song Jixing wiped his sweat with a smile. "Okay."
Seeing the volunteer sister's face turning red inexplicably, Song Jixing continued jogging slowly. The volunteer sister caught up with him, holding a bottle of water in her hand.
"Here, if it's not enough, let me know..."
Song Jixing drank a few gulps and then passed the rest of the bottle to the girl next to him. With determination, he prepared to continue sprinting towards the finish line, with the person who had caught up not far behind.
Although it was said to be a sprint to the finish line, Song Jixing delayed it a bit.
It took 58 minutes to pass.
To ensure the time was just right, Song Jixing glanced at the wristwatch on his hand.
At the moment Song Jixing sprinted to the finish line, many people were stunned.
They looked at the timer on the stage. How could he finish in just 58 minutes?
Did he take a shortcut secretly? That's not possible because the planned route for this race was the track. Could it be that he used transportation?
The referee standing on the stage might not be a famous official for major events, but each one of them was well aware of the world record holder for the half marathon.
Looking at the frail girl in front of them, they suspected that she either took performance-enhancing drugs or was a naturally talented athlete.
In contrast to the racing thoughts of the referees on the stage, the volunteers waiting at the finish line had fewer concerns. They surrounded Song Jixing, offering water, towels, chocolates, and nut bars.
Song Jixing accepted them with a smile, thanked them, and tore open the chocolates and nut bars to eat.
For the participants, the nut bars and chocolates here were free. By eating more now, she could eat less at home later.
The referee team whispered among themselves for a while, suggesting that they should first note down the name and then check the surveillance footage.
The possibility of using performance-enhancing drugs was unlikely. Even professional athletes would not necessarily be able to run that fast after taking them. It was highly likely that she used some form of transportation.
There were cameras throughout the marathon route in Y City, capturing the entire course.
After finishing two pieces of chocolate, three nut bars, and drinking a bottle of water, Song Jixing finally saw the figure of an African participant on the other side of the road.
The three participants hurriedly ran over, covered in sweat. At the moment they reached the finish line, they all seemed puzzled by the disappearance of the red ribbon marking the finish line.
The three of them arrived one after another and were recorded as second, third, and fourth place.
Compared to the volunteer sister surrounding Song Jixing like stars, only two male volunteers went up to offer water to the other three participants.
Seeing Song Jixing quickly finishing the snacks, the considerate volunteer girl came forward and asked, "Do you want more? Should I get you some more?"
"Wouldn't that be troublesome?"
"No, it's not. They were meant for you all anyway!" The girl blushed slightly.
"In that case, please." Song Jixing smiled.
The young girls surrounding her blushed again, their hearts roaring with excitement! He's so handsome and adorable!
Song Jixing's extraordinary looks in the entertainment industry stood out among ordinary people!
Coupled with her first-place half-marathon achievement, she exuded a special charm, like sparkling stars, capturing everyone's attention.
There were male volunteers at today's competition who wanted to get close and catch a glimpse of Song Jixing. However, there were simply too many young girls surrounding her, and others had no chance of squeezing in.
Over on the judging panel, they were busy making phone calls to check the strict control along the route, with no attention to spare for the three latecomers.
