qi xiang zhou: master also takes risks

Bare-chested, with a small mustache, a lean physique, and a Mohawk hairstyle—this is Zhou Qixiang, a runner with style. His striking appearance reflects his dedicated attitude towards marathon running, which he openly admits is a 'deliberate image for the public.' Not long ago, Zhou didn't dye his hair, and his long, flowing mustache gave him a traditional Chinese sage-like aura. He has a pure and devout passion for marathons, almost religious in nature.

He doesn't like being called a 'master' by others and straightforwardly says, 'Just call me 'Desperate.''

Zhou Qixiang's running habits and philosophy have a Zen-like quality.

He discards unnecessary things and focuses on conversing with himself, confronting difficulties, and breaking limits. Zhou once liked running bare-chested: with his race number pinned to his front, exposing his chest and abs, resembling an ascetic. It was only after getting sponsors that he started wearing a running vest, 'so I couldn't run shirtless anymore.' His social media avatars are all pictures of him doing handstands in various places, showcasing his strong muscles and upright posture. This is thanks to his past experience as a fitness coach: from his hometown in Lu'an, Anhui, to living in Shanghai for over a decade, he worked in the fitness industry for many years and, after an injury, switched to practicing martial arts for a while. 'I learned too many things, so I don't even count as an entry-level martial artist.'

Professional running to surpass oneself.

In 2009, Zhou Qixiang suddenly started running, and in his first full marathon that year, he impressively broke three hours with a time of 2 hours, 55 minutes, and 51 seconds. From then on, he fell in love with running, resigned from his job as a fitness coach, and devoted himself wholeheartedly to this long and interesting journey.

Unlike many runners who are keen on completing the six major marathons around the world, Zhou Qixiang is not simply collecting race experiences. He prefers near-professional level extreme challenges and values the sense of accomplishment from overcoming difficulties. 'If you run the hardest one first, the others, including the six major marathons, become much easier, just like solving problems.'

The process of running marathons is relatively lonely, but training requires the assistance and sparring of peers. Zhou Qixiang became famous in Shanghai's marathon scene as a top runner in the 'Old Friends' marathon group, which gathers many of Shanghai's top amateur runners. Through weekly runs or race tests, they help elevate the level of the amateur running community in Shanghai.

Beyond running, Zhou Qixiang has deeper thoughts. He believes that a runner's career is ultimately limited; however, passing on the marathon spirit and his valuable experience to more people is a long-term and more meaningful endeavor. Therefore, Zhou aspires to this transformation and elevation of a runner. While showcasing the image of a dedicated elite runner, he is also trying to do more.

Training is to pursue higher goals.

Zhou Qixiang usually trains in Century Park, and his monthly mileage has increased from 500 kilometers a year ago to around 800 kilometers. This load is quite challenging for non-professional runners. Recently, Zhou has been increasing his mileage and auxiliary training because he has set a new marathon goal: to run under 2:25 in the 2018 Tokyo Marathon. This goal surpasses the qualifying standard for Group A in the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan. The Fukuoka Marathon, known as the 'small world championships' before the IAAF World Championships, has very stringent entry standards, with Group A's qualifying line at 2 hours and 27 minutes. Zhou's current personal best is 2 hours, 26 minutes, and 19 seconds, achieved at the 2017 Shanghai International Marathon.