The 2023 International (Hangzhou) Trailwalk Conference takes place on Dec 23. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The 2023 International (Hangzhou) Trailwalk Conference kicked off at 9 am on Dec 23, gathering 10,000 participants on the vast lawn of the Qianjiang Century Park.

Now in its 12th year, the conference is a recreational sports event unique to Hangzhou. It has continued the sporting fervor brought about by the Hangzhou Asian Games and contributed to the vision of establishing Hangzhou as an international city for sporting events.

The organizing committee ensured that all trailwalk participants had ample supplies and protection against the cold, including drinking water, malt sugar, Snickers, bread, and biscuits. Additional items such as sports socks, warm pads, and pure ginger powder were also provided.

The 2023 International (Hangzhou) Trailwalk Conference takes place on Dec 23. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]

The China International Cartoon and Animation Festival was a highlight of the conference, with cartoon characters featured at the starting and end points, cheering for participants, posing for photos, and engaging in interactions with the trailwalkers.

Cheng Ping, director of the Hangzhou Sports Development Center, said that the conference has long been popular, with over 20,000 people registering in just three hours.

"After the Asian Games, the public gained a deeper understanding of fitness. In our efforts to establish a city known for hosting sports events, we also encourage the public to actively participate in sports and keep themselves fit," Cheng added.

The 2023 International (Hangzhou) Trailwalk Conference takes place on Dec 23. [Photo/hangzhou.com.cn]