Zhejiang University has long placed great emphasis on sports, encouraging students to achieve all-rounded development. The University offers a wide range of sports courses, including running, water sports, and outdoor activities, and it has also fostered a variety of cultural and sports clubs for frisbee, archery, and taekwondo and so on.
Recently, Zhejiang University’s running team claimed the Elite University Group title at the 2024 Nike University Elite Challenge, with members of the Kuafu Running Club playing a pivotal role, embodying the spirit of today’s youth.
Since its inception in late 2021, the Kuafu Running Club has expanded rapidly from a small group of a few dozen to a robust community of nearly a thousand members. The club provides a dynamic platform for running enthusiasts across Zhejiang University to connect, compete, and grow. By participating in marathons, relay races, and other events, members have been consistently pushing their limits, striving for improved speed and strength.
Their efforts have contributed to impressive achievements, including a second-place finish in the Huzhou Marathon and a spot in the finals of the Universities 100-Mile Relay. Beyond competitive success, the Club also plays a key role in promoting a campus-wide running culture by organizing regular night runs and other community-building events.
The Kuafu Running Club derives its name from Chinese mythology, symbolic of the values of staying grounded, keeping determined and forging ahead. Its members form deep bonds through their shared love of running, constantly pushing each other to improve. This sense of community is enhanced through weekly group runs, which regularly bring together alumni, students, and faculty. For Kuafu members, running is more than just a routine—it’s a world worth diving into and living in.
Within the Kuafu Running Club, runners exchange tips, motivate one another, and tackle challenges like hitting plateaus or recovering from injuries. They hold a collective belief: while an individual may run fast, a team will run farther. Their emphasis on teamwork and collaboration has led to remarkable achievements, most notably at the 2024 Nike University Elite Challenge, where the Kuafu team clinched the championship though subjected to immense pressure. Their victory permanently etched the name of “Zhejiang University” on the champion’s shield, a testament to their hard work and unity.
The Kuafu Running Club is not just about winning races; it’s also deeply committed to the personal growth and well-being of its members. Through training camps and sharing sessions, the group focuses on improving overall running performance while fostering a strong sense of community and belonging. Beyond the track, members build deeper bonds, learning to support and uplift each other, helping to ease mental pressures and challenges along the way.
One of the Kuafu Running Club’s key events is the Universities 100-Mile Relay, where they have formed a united and dynamic team to compete. In this high-energy relay, every runner has given their best effort to pass the baton, embodying a spirit of teamwork and dedication that has strengthened Kuafu into a more resilient and cohesive community.
Over the course of more than a thousand days, the Kuafu Running Club has witnessed its members grow and thrive. Some have graduated, others have returned, and fresh blood has joined the ranks, bringing new honors to the team. The Club will carry forward the legacy of past members as they continue to strive for new heights. For them, running is more than a sport—it’s a way to forge friendships, shape character, and build resilience. Driven by their shared passion and united by common goals, the Kuafu Running Club will keep moving forward, writing the next chapter in their remarkable journey.
Adapted and translated from the article written by XU Yuzhen
Translator: FANG Fumin
Photo: WANG Oufan, A Re'ai, Kuafu Running Club
Editor: TIAN Minjie
source：ZJU’s running team claims championship at the 2024 Nike University Elite Challenge
