Anchor:
A special marathon was held in Beijing on Wednesday to mark the 100th day countdown to the 2008 Olympics. More than 10,000 participants gathered at the Olympic park, waving flags and cheering on the runners. Our reporter Shuang Feng went to the event and filed this report.
Reporter:
With the firing of the pistol, about 1,000 runners from around the world set off on a 33km marathon marking the 100th day countdown to the start of the Olympic Games in Beijing.
Huub Schrader is an athlete from the Netherlands.
"This is a chance for me to get close to the Olympic stadium and see how things look like. To be honest, I believe they are gonna make something very good out of it. I am sure of that. I think everybody will be shouting Jiayou, Jiayou. And the most important thing is not always winning but taking part."
Australian runner Robert Spilling extended his best wishes to the upcoming Olympics.
"I hope everything goes very well. All the preparation look very good. There is lots of construction still going on, but when it's finished, it looks very good, very impressive. And I wish Beijing all the best."
More than 10,000 people from Beijing also took part in a fun run.
Cai Chongzhen is 74 year old.
"Participating is what's important. I wish that our Olympics will be the best ever. Our athletes are excellent. I hope they will win many medals during the Games."
While taking part in the run, many also took the chance to admire the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center, nicknamed the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube respectively.
Chen Jinping is a Singaporean student studying in Beijing.
"I'm here soaking in the sights and surroundings as I run because I am going back home this June. So I had to come here today to take some photos and prove to my parents that I was here."
Shuang Feng, CRI news.