Yao Yimeng, reporter of China Industrial Network

150 million employees gathered in Rizhao, Shandong. More than 6000 industrial workers joined the characteristic square to take the lead, and many "star" model workers appeared on the track... On May 19, the 2024 National Staff Marathon Series (Rizhao Half Marathon Station) started with passion, setting off a running carnival belonging to the majority of employees.

"I started to prepare one month in advance. I started running at the seaside at 6:00 in the morning and ran five times a week." Jia Tingbo, a national model worker who signed up to take the lead in the characteristic matrix of industrial workers, and a senior engineer and senior technician of the substation operation inspection room of Rizhao Power Supply Company of the State Grid, started targeted training in order to show his best state in the competition.

Qin Yuhua (first from left), Zhang Nianhua (middle) and Jia Tingbo (first from right). Photographed by Yao Yimeng, reporter of China Industrial Network

Although the characteristic square array leading race he participated in was only 6.6km, he did not relax for a moment.

This morning, after completing the player call, Jia Tingbo began to warm up before the match in the waiting area, pressing his legs and encircling his knees and ankles... He checked his equipment to ensure that the shoelaces were tightly tied and the number cloth was firmly pinned to his chest.

Standing on the starting track, Jia Tingbo stood on tiptoe and looked around. The model workers in the race wore uniform blue sportswear and were eager to try.

"3, 2, 1, let's go!" With the starting gun ringing, the whole audience was jubilant, and Jia Tingbo ran forward with the huge flow of people and the rhythm of live music.

"The characteristic square lead run provides a platform for model workers to show themselves and exchange experience. Model workers from all walks of life gather here to learn from and encourage each other. Moreover, when participating in the marathon, the model workers advocated a healthy lifestyle with practical actions, delivered positive energy and encouraged the majority of workers and the public to pursue a healthy and positive attitude towards life. " This is Jia Tingbo's understanding of setting up a characteristic square array. "Marathon spirit and model worker spirit have many similarities. Both of them reflect the attitude of perseverance, pursuit of excellence and self transcendence, and emphasize team spirit and mutual motivation."

Since he started working in 1997, he has been working in the ordinary post of substation maintenance for 27 years, and has been awarded the honors of National Model Worker, Shandong Model Worker, and "Qilu Craftsman". Jia Tingbo's growth process is like a marathon, constantly running and surpassing.

Zhang Nianhua, the head of Rizhao Fishery Communication Management Station in Shandong Province, was awarded the honor of National Advanced Worker. Despite his busy work, Zhang Nianhua still insists on playing table tennis for many years. As the "king" athlete in the sports field, he still started to prepare early to participate in the National Staff Marathon Series (Rizhao Half Marathon): "5 kilometers in the morning and 5 kilometers in the evening. My physical fitness is good, and the 6.6 kilometers are relatively easy. We workers have our own marathon, and there is also a special array of model workers. Of course, we should take the initiative to register!" He said easily.

Zhang Nianhua's understanding of the marathon spirit is perseverance, never giving up, challenging himself, and striving bravely to be the first. "No matter what work is, it is full of challenges. It needs to challenge the limits and strive to overcome difficulties. This is exactly where the marathon spirit and the model worker spirit fit."

"When you run, your feet touch the ground, and you always have a speed..." Qin Yuhua, the winner of the May 1st Labor Medal in Shandong Province and the carpenter group leader of Shandong Jinhua Construction Group Co., Ltd., said with interest the precautions for running. In high school, he was a long-distance runner. Qin Yuhua said frankly that he wanted to find the feeling of overflowing passion.

"Confident! There are many experts in this competition, and I try to win a good place." Qin Yuhua patted his chest and said. Due to the high intensity of work and the high physical requirements, Qin Yuhua has to walk ten thousand steps every day, which can be said to be both exercise and work every day. "The characteristic square matrix plays a leading role. Whether on the track or at work, model workers and craftsmen should play a leading role and be the role models of the staff."

On the runway, industrial workers are the main force, and model workers and craftsmen are all on the battlefield.

As time went by, some runners began to breathe quickly and their lips were dry, but their eyes were still firm.

"Perseverance and never giving up can lead to the final victory!" Qin Yuhua, who reached the end, gasped for breath and was soaked from head to foot, but his face was ruddy and excited. Marathon spirit and model worker spirit shone on him.

(Rizhao, Shandong, May 19, CAMCE)