Chinese runners flock to marathon races as health trends coincide

DAXING, China — The runners were entering the final stretch on a recent Saturday morning. The air was muggy but the atmosphere was electric, not least because elementary schoolchildren were banging out Queen’s “We Will Rock You” on traditional Chinese cowhide drums nearly as big as them. The runners had already passed locals in traditional attire performing dragon dances or playing the guzheng, the Chinese zither.