Liu Zhongjie receives emergent treatment during the long-distance jogging around Beijing's 6th Ring Road. (Photo/ Beijing Youth Daily)
(ECNS) -- A man has spent 45 hours in one go running 222.48 kilometers around Beijing's 6th Ring Road, becoming the second person ever to do so, Beijing Youth Daily reported.
Liu Zhongjie, 30, a Chongqing native who works in Beijing, said he hatched the plan in early May and denied that he was copying 22-year-old jogger A Jin, who, according to news circulated online in late May, became the first person to run along the 6th Ring Road, in about 44 hours.
"It might have been mere coincidence," said Liu.
Liu prepared well for his journey, including attempting to contact A Jin for advice.
Liu updated his WeChat Moments, a popular social networking site, before setting out at 10:09 p.m. on June 17, saying: "Doing things you like, you'll also meet people you like."
Liu said he was still single, and themed his running adventure "For belief and for her."
"Of course, I also hope to meet my sweetheart," he said.
Liu said he received support from fellow joggers, and took breaks totaling about three hours. After 45 hours and 10 minutes, he finally completed the journey at 7:27 p.m. on June 19.
Commenting on the one-hour gap between his time and A Jin's record, Liu said: "I ran to challenge my endurance, not to compete with anyone."
Liu said jogging had become part of his daily life, as he was born in the countryside and used to walk about eight kilometers to school.
Liu also said he would run in patterns on special days, such as on May 12 to commemorate victims of the 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake.
