In recent years, Shijiazhuang, the capital of Hebei Province, has been using sports as a catalyst to energize urban development, painting a unique urban landscape. A culture of physical activity is permeating the city's streets and communities, leading to high-profile sporting events, an expanded role for sports, and enhanced city appeal.

Brand sporting events are igniting a city-wide enthusiasm for fitness. The city hosts over 70 major sports events annually, including the Shijiazhuang Marathon, ITF International Tennis Masters, and Asian Wakeboard Series, alongside more than 1,500 public sports activities. The "Zhuangli Ball King, City-Wide Hot Training" series of branded events remains highly popular.

Data shows the 2025 Shijiazhuang Marathon attracted 35,000 runners, including participants from 23 countries and regions. Participants enjoyed views of the city's new developments while running, receiving widespread praise. The 2026 edition saw unprecedented interest, with total registrations exceeding 200,000. Registrants from outside the province accounted for 70%, and the event is expected to stimulate over 500 million yuan in consumer spending. Topics like the "ShiMa PB Course" trended online.

Other distinctive events, such as the "Zhuang Chao" five-a-side football league, the Ring City Greenway Hiking Convention, and the Dragon Boat Competition, not only provide public platforms for competition but also create new sports consumption scenarios by integrating with scenic spots and commercial districts.

The city is effectively expanding accessible fitness spaces for residents. Adhering to the principle of "returning space to the city, green spaces to the people, and public services to society," Shijiazhuang has precisely addressed shortcomings in sports facilities and optimized spatial layouts. This turns the public's desire for convenient, nearby exercise into reality, allowing the benefits of sports to permeate the city's fabric.

Since the start of the "14th Five-Year Plan" period, Shijiazhuang has cumulatively built 9 large-scale venues. The Zhongshan Stadium has been renovated and upgraded, a 101-kilometer ring city greenway has been completed, and 5,426 fitness facilities have been built or updated. The city has also established 88 sports parks and 12 outdoor smart gyms, ranking first in the province for both the number of new sports parks and the rate of achieving related targets.

The outdoor smart gym in Chang'an Park, the first of its kind in Shijiazhuang, offers free exercise. Equipment can be connected to mobile phones to provide personalized workout plans based on physical condition and adjusted for intensity.

Athletic performance has also seen significant breakthroughs. Shijiazhuang athletes have excelled in domestic and international competitions, earning glory for the city through their dedication and sportsmanship. At the 15th National Games in 2025, athletes from Shijiazhuang won 4 gold, 3 silver, and 6 bronze medals. Gong Lijiao achieved an unprecedented fifth consecutive title in the women's shot put and, alongside Sun Yingsha, was selected as one of China's Top Ten Athletes for 2025. Winter sports athletes Li Wenhao and Sheng Haipeng competed at the Milan Winter Olympics.

Domestically within the province, Shijiazhuang dominates. At the 16th Hebei Provincial Games, the city secured 517 gold medals, 1,320 total medals, and 22,404 points, achieving a seventh consecutive victory in all three categories: gold medals, total medals, and overall points. Despite lacking a natural snow season advantage, Shijiazhuang has consistently led in total gold medals and medals at successive provincial winter sports games.

Today, the city is writing a new chapter of high-quality development in the name of sports and vibrant activity. Shijiazhuang is rapidly becoming a charming city that inspires pride among its residents and admiration from outsiders.