大连国际步行节：健康漫步好心情 步行精神万代传

　　A study shows that walking is a great way to improve your level of activity and your health.

　　With green trees all around, a blue sky above and sunshine shining on their faces, 200,000 walkers set off on a hike to promote good health.

　　With the starting pistol¹ shot by an 86-year-old citizen, Li Jieyan, the Third Dalian International Walking Festival was launched² in this port city on May 29.

　　The two-day event drew 230,000 people with some 200,000 participating in Saturday's rally³ alone.

　　Participants could enjoy the natural scenery while walking. They could choose to walk 5, 10, 20 or 30 kilometres.

　　People who were strangers walked, talked and laughed together during the walk.

　　The youngest registered⁴ hiker was six months old. Children, some running and playing, could be seen everywhere. Some were pushed along in their prams⁵ by their parents.

　　Sun Xinian, 94, was the oldest walker. He missed the starting ceremony, but said he would finish the walk. The most romantic scene was a team of 100 newlyweds.

　　The crowds were moved by 300 disabled people who participated. With the help of wheelchairs or volunteers, they were able to walk for five kilometres.

　　Deaf people read messages on others' backs for the blind. Various slogans like "walking to be in a good mood" on T-shirts showed people's characters.

　　One little girl and her grandpa walked hand in hand, with the slogans "stick to victory" and "walking spirits handed down to the next generation".

　　Around 1,000 foreigners took part.

　　One who was in the city on business called the event "nice, healthy and sporty."

　　Dalian has applied⁶ to join the International Marching League, which has 23 members around the world. Dalian is the only candidate⁷ city in China.

　　Last year about 28,000 people took part in the event.

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