After Jiang Tao greeted everyone, he briefly introduced Xu Li and Xu Sha.

"Good morning, everyone~"

"Good morning."

Xu Li and Xu Sha also politely greeted everyone.

"Good morning, it’s a pleasure to meet you two."

"Good morning."

After the greetings, everyone’s eyes towards Jiang Tao were full of envy and jealousy!

As if being a great runner wasn’t enough, his wife is so beautiful too!

"I’ve brought some energy gels and salt pills for everyone. Xiao Peng, why don’t you distribute them?"

Bai Yulan was still as straightforward and generous as ever.

After she spoke, she handed over a bulging backpack she had slung over her shoulder to Peng Xiaotong.

Although energy gels and salt pills aren’t particularly valuable items,

brands like Competition have decent energy gels for only a few bucks each.

But this big bag from Bai Yulan was at least worth a thousand yuan, showing her kindness to the running group friends.

"Thank you, Sister Bai~"

"Thank you, Sister Bai~"

Hearing that Sister Bai had brought energy gels and salt pills again, everyone thanked Bai Yulan.

After some small talk, they all headed to the starting point together.

Jiang Tao, Huo Chenyang, Peng Xiaotong, Bai Yulan, and a few core members of the running group from Ping County were all elite runners in the first echelon.

The runners in this echelon usually finish a full marathon in about 3 hours.

In big city marathons, that time isn’t remarkable.

But in a small event like the first Ping County Health Run, they were definitely the backbone.

Fang Yunpeng and Jia Feng were also in this echelon.

And, coincidentally, they were right next to Jiang Tao and his group.

"Director Huo, I’m expecting you to outperform yourself today; that would make the race more interesting."

Jia Feng raised his eyebrows at Huo Chenyang, full of provocation.

"Heh, I’ll do my best to run."

Huo Chenyang maintained a polite smile and didn’t get upset by Jia Feng’s taunts.

Jiang Tao gave him confidence.

Those who laugh last, laugh best.

The prouder Jia Feng was now, the more frustrated he’d be when he loses later.

7:40 AM.

A tall beauty wearing a white baseball cap and a mini skirt climbed to the top of a temporary stage at the starting line.

The girl had her hair in a high ponytail, her face painted with colorful stripes, looking youthful and energetic.

Jiang Tao put on his [Cool Sunglasses] and looked toward the stage, surprised to find that it was He Jing on stage.

Last night, He Jing chatted with him on the phone, saying she’d have a surprise for him today, and here it was.

As He Jing took the stage, dynamic music started playing at the scene.

A middle-aged male host also took the stage, enthusiastically starting his opening remarks:

"Respected leaders, participants, and audience friends, good morning to you all!"

"In this vibrant April, we gather in the picturesque Ping County..."

Most of the participating athletes looked at the stage more towards the fiery-dressed He Jing beside the host, quietly discussing He Jing.

"The warm-up leader has a great figure, and she’s pretty too!"

"That girl must be over 1.7 meters tall!"

"This trip was worth it just for this!"

"Found the first highlight of this Health Run!"

"Wish she was my girlfriend!"

Amid the murmurs, the host finished his remarks, and dynamic music played again.

On stage, He Jing began leading the warm-up exercises for the participants.

Though today’s health run was only 15 kilometers, a good warm-up is crucial for achieving excellent results.

Before the run, warming up the body and activating all joints and organs is key to better performance.

At exactly 8:00 AM.

Bang!!!

With the loud crack of the starting pistol,

the first group of participants surged forward like a flood breaking through a dam.

Thump, thump, thump, thump—

For the generous rewards of [Bringing Glory to the Team], Jiang Tao didn’t hold back.

Taking the lead and sprinting off with all his might.

In less than 10 seconds, he broke away from the crowd, already reaching the first position.

Fang Yunpeng and his apprentice Jia Feng didn’t panic at all when they saw Jiang Tao charge ahead.

Both of them maintained a very calm demeanor.

Charging so hard at the start, he won’t last two kilometers without a breakdown!

In the first 10 kilometers, just stay with the leading group, steady and cautious is key.

The last 5 kilometers is when you "fix bayonets" and pick up the pace to pass others.

"Wow! Another expert! That guy was really fierce!"

"Heh, starting strong doesn’t mean much; only whoever laughs last is the winner."

"Running that fast at the start clearly shows a lack of experience. His brain is too excited, he’ll definitely break down!"

"I bet he’ll collapse before 2 kilometers!"

"Youngsters are impulsive. It’s still the experienced pros like Brother Peng who stay composed, unfazed by being overtaken."

"Marathons require strategy. Reckless charging usually means an inexperienced rookie."

"Anyway, given that, the guy who just ran past looks pretty cool! Absolutely love the sunglasses he’s wearing!"

"I have the same pair! I think they’re women’s sunglasses, right?"

"Who cares if they’re men’s or women’s, as long as they look good!"

"Wow, his running posture is so handsome! Those big strides are amazing!"

"Landing on the forefoot, such an aggressive running style. Why do I suddenly feel like this guy is really strong?"

"No matter how strong he is, he can’t surpass Brother Peng. Brother Peng hasn’t even exerted his full effort yet."

The viewers in Fang Yunpeng’s live stream witnessed Jiang Tao overtaking him through the lens, and the comments kept rolling.

Even though it was just past 8 AM, still early.

But affected by the race, Fang Yunpeng’s live stream attracted quite a bit of traffic, with more than 5,000 people online.

After Jiang Tao overtook him, Fang Yunpeng reversed the camera, switching to the rear camera to capture Jiang Tao’s back.

"Guys, no rush, we haven’t even hit 1 kilometer yet. If he wants to charge, let him charge."

"We’re steady and cautious. As long as we maintain a steady pace for the first 8 kilometers, the second half is when we showcase true abilities."

Fang Yunpeng chatted with the viewers in the live stream while running and breathing somewhat heavily.

He was genuinely calm and not just pretending.

Based on years of running experience, Fang Yunpeng knew that someone like Jiang Tao, charging hard right from the start, would definitely slow down significantly later.

In the first two kilometers, all body joints, heart, and lungs haven’t even warmed up yet.

Even Fang Yunpeng didn’t dare to charge too hard.

When Jiang Tao had distanced himself 100 meters from the leading group, the viewers in the live stream started teasing again:

"Brother Peng, the distance is getting bigger! Aren’t you going to chase him?"

"No rush."

When Jiang Tao was 200 meters ahead of the leading group, Fang Yunpeng hesitated a bit but still maintained his pace.

When they reached 2 kilometers and Jiang Tao was more than 300 meters ahead, Fang Yunpeng began to doubt if his strategy was correct.

At the 3-kilometer mark, Jiang Tao was 400 meters ahead, and Fang Yunpeng finally couldn’t remain calm, no longer concerned about the live stream.

He handed the gimbal over to his apprentice Jia Feng and started to accelerate, hoping to catch up to Jiang Tao.

At 4 kilometers, Jiang Tao maintained a pace of around 2 minutes 54 seconds per kilometer.

He was far ahead, leaving Fang Yunpeng behind.

"Wow, he’s a dark horse! Definitely an unexpected competitor!"

"This... is too fast, way too fast! And his running posture is so handsome!"

"He’s going to be famous! Our Ping County’s first-ever healthy run is going to be popular because of this guy!"

The photographer on the motorcycle aimed the camera at Jiang Tao, muttering with an extremely excited expression on his face.

"Huff, huff, huff..."

Chasing Jiang Tao all the way, but the more he chased, the further behind he fell, Fang Yunpeng was now wearing a painful expression.

Fang Yunpeng was completely dumbfounded at this point.

At the 8-kilometer halfway point, he couldn’t even see Jiang Tao’s back!

Moreover, in an attempt to catch up to Jiang Tao, his pace exceeded his own physical limits.

He felt his muscles aching intensely, and his breathing becoming extremely difficult.

He even experienced dizziness, nausea, and other symptoms.

As an experienced runner, Fang Yunpeng knew exactly what state he was in.

He had completely collapsed! 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Or, to put it more humiliatingly...

He had been blown away by the first place!

For Fang Yunpeng, who was confident in winning the championship.

Being overtaken halfway was definitely a humiliation!

"There are experts like this in Ping County?"

"This must be an outside hire!"

Thump!

When everything went black and Fang Yunpeng fell, his mind was still filled with indignation.