The poster Designed by Pu Jiaolong
Becca Pizzi
Liang Xinde
Influencer
By Daria Fominykh
It is the 41st sister city anniversary of Hangzhou and Boston this year! Hangzhoufeel and Top Talents Circle Student Union celebrated their vibrant friendship through a captivating interview series of A Tale of the Two Cities.
Are both Hangzhou and Boston known for their city-branded marathons?
In our debut interview, we caught up with Becca Pizzi, the two-time winner of the women's race in the World Marathon Challenge, and Liang Xinde, the Tour de France Ultramarathon champion to see what the representatives from the two cities had to say about the world marathons.
"We come from different cities but share the same spirit. In marathons, we find the common denominator", Liang highlighted the common ground between them, "In my dictionary, there's no word for surrender. Marathons bring me joy and a step-by-step journey of personal growth to become a better self."
Becca's global feats, including the World Marathon, a challenge of seven marathons on seven continents in seven days, reflected the same resilience and determination. But what drives them forward? Becca mentioned that she was fueled by a support network comprising doctors, family, and community friends. She also kept a photo of her daughter during arduous moments: "I place it closest to my heart, tucked inside my zipper jacket. In moments of great difficulty, whether at 15,000 feet elevation or running in -20°C temperatures, I gently tap it, drawing strength from her presence."
Becca Pizzi's most memorable race was the Antarctica Marathon: "We ran a marathon on the glaciers of Antarctica. The wind was strong, and it was cold, but it was an unforgettable experience. So, I tried to truly embrace it, and accept it all. It was the most beautiful marathon, crossing the finish line in Antarctica with my body and soul."
For Liang, the most memorable event was the 2016 Polar Expedition in Xinjiang. Over the 250-kilometer course, he encountered weather spanning four seasons, sandstorms, heavy rain, and high temperatures, sometimes exceeding 47 degrees Celsius. But he continued pushing forward. "The entire process was unforgettable, especially the trust between people. Many say that after crossing the boundless Gobi together, the runners become brothers and sisters", he said.
After learning that Becca introduced running to her daughter, Liang, a father of two children (aged 5 and 8), could not help asking how Becca encouraged her daughter. Becca replied with delight, "I always tell her to find something she loves. She enjoys running, and she's fast. So, she's truly motivated." Liang also plans to complete a 5.4-kilometer mini-marathon with his kids on the 2024 New Year's Day. 'I want to bring physical and mental health to my children. Physical activity brings a lifetime benefit besides exercising. Health is the best companion for happy growth."
City-branded marathons hold immense significance, epitomized by Becca's pride in the Boston Marathon, the event that Liang has also participated in twice, which he commented as "running the Boston Marathon is like climbing Mount Everest".
As the dialogue concluded, Liang expressed his hope for a global intertwining of culture, tourism, and history through running. He invited Becca to participate in the Hangzhou marathon. Becca happily accepted.
Looking ahead, the quest for insightful conversations between Hangzhou and Boston extends. If you have any suggestions for the next episode, please reach out to Hangzhoufeel to air your ideas!