By Zhao Yu

On March 22, during the 2025 Fenghua Marathon, a team of 16 international and Chinese student volunteers from Ningbo University's Business School stood out in their peach-pink uniforms as a vibrant presence along the marathon course.

Arriving in the early morning, the volunteers set up the course, distributed amenity packs to the runners, guided them to their designated lanes, and cheered them on. Positioned at key pit stops, their duties included maintaining track safety, helping guide traffic along the perimeter, securing athlete safety, and assisting cheer squads.

"Go! Push harder! The finish line is right there!" shouted William Leslie, an international volunteer, as half-marathon runners crossed the finish line.

Leslie was deeply moved by the positive vibe between the runners and the spectators cheering them on. "The atmosphere inspired me to give my best as a volunteer, ensuring they had an unforgettable experience," he shared.

When asked if he would volunteer again, Leslie replied without hesitation, "Absolutely!"

By noon, five international students were enthusiastically applauding each finisher at the marathon's finish line. Among them was Kuznetsova Svetlana, a student from Uzbekistan in her final year at Ningbo University, who has participated in multiple Fenghua volunteer initiatives since last summer. Her dedication has inspired many fellow students to join volunteer programs.

Volunteering at previous editions of the Fenghua Marathon has greatly improved Svetlana's Mandarin skills—she now communicates effortlessly in both writing and speaking.

"I met runners from Taizhou, Hangzhou, and beyond, all drawn to the Fenghua Marathon. I even spotted members from Ningbo University's running club!" she said. "This event has truly become a grand celebration."