Miles away, local resident Leung Chi-sum, 53, and his friends, clad in uniformed red tracksuits and national flags pinned on their shoulders, set out for a long-distance run from Sai Ying Pun on Hong Kong Island early in the morning. Their destination was the other side of Victoria Harbor, passing through Kowloon, and eventually on to Ma On Shan in the New Territories. One of the runners carried an electronic screen on her back, on which scrolling text praised the motherland.
They hoped the journey covering most of the city's bustling areas would add the bright sight of red flags to the city.
As a tribute to his country, Leung set a personal goal of running 71 kilometers—almost twice the length of a marathon — to mark the 71st birthday of the PRC.
Leung said he was heartened and touched when many residents cheered for them as they passed. He hoped the festive atmosphere in the National Day, including the event he organized, would also cheer up the city and inspire the public to have more confidence in its future.
