On the afternoon of December 11, the 27th Session of the Collective Talks, titled "What Keeps Us Running? —A Conversation with Champions and ANTA," was held in the Xinya College Hall. The event was organized by Dean Mei Ciqi of Xinya College, and featured special guests Cheng Yang, Head of Running at ANTA Group, and Liu Bo, Director of the Division of Sports Science and Physical Education at Tsinghua University. They joined over 50 students who are committed runners to discuss the connection between running and life.

Dean Mei opened the event by reflecting on the origins of the Collective Talks. Since the fall semester of 2022, Dean Mei has joined students who voluntarily sign up for runs every Monday afternoon at Zijing Playground. The "Xinya group running" has gradually become a cherished sports tradition at Xinya College, and an important venue for natural communication and shared growth between faculty and students. To date, the "group running" has spanned eight seasons and 91 sessions, with more than 1,700 participants. With the strong support of ANTA Group, students who participated in at least 10 sessions this semester would each receive a pair of ANTA C202 7 Running Shoes, distributed on site during the Collective Talks. A total of 46 students has already been recognized as the first batch of recipients.

Mr. Cheng shared how his journey into running began with reviewing running shoes. Through this process, he gradually regained a healthy pace and a sense of control over his life, and eventually joined ANTA's running division. In his view, running is a straightforward investment in health and a source of emotional support. ANTA's ongoing progress in the professional running shoe sector demonstrates its commitment to "co-creation" with runners, striving to ensure that each pair of shoes not only improves in performance but also serves as a vessel for unforgettable running memories.

Professor Liu drew on his own experience training with the Tsinghua University track and field team during his student days to share the important concept of the "transfer value of sports" introduced by John Ma. The courage to keep running even when exhausted naturally translates into perseverance in study, work, and daily life. Reflecting on his time pursuing a doctorate in sports science in Germany, Professor Liu shared that it was the resilience developed through long-distance running that enabled him to overcome both language and academic barriers. "Sports are not just physical exercise; they are also a way to cultivate character."

Several students also shared their running experiences. One student described how, although he initially struggled to finish 1,500 meters, he eventually completed 5 kilometers and even took on a mini-marathon. "Running has made me believe I can accomplish things I once thought impossible." Another student admitted to not being naturally inclined toward running but regarded Xinya College's "group run" as an approach to life. "That time on Monday afternoons belongs to me—I'm in control." Some students kept pushing their limits through consistent running, improving their pace from 6:10 to 5:24. "By running with the group, I realized I have far more endurance than I thought." A student who has maintained a long-term commitment to distance running raised a common concern among runners: how to cope with the reluctance to start and the desire to give up midway. Mr. Cheng and Professor Liu, drawing on their professional sports experience, pointed out that this mindset is common. They suggested first acknowledging and accepting such emotions psychologically, and then, through diverse training, reasonable goal setting, and community interaction, making running an activity that is structured and filled with anticipation. Dean Mei encouraged students to incorporate running into their "fast-thinking system"—minimizing hesitation and simply going for a run when the time comes—while also openly accepting the positive influence of external motivation.

In conclusion, Dean Mei stated that physical exercise is not only an individual's proactive choice to not be entirely at the mercy of the world, but also a process of building connections within a group by shouldering responsibility and gaining courage. Furthermore, physical exercise itself is meaningful: it is a dialogue between a person and their own body, fulfilling a natural need and serving as a source of joy for living beings. Whether it is the sense of self-mastery while running or the genuine connections formed with others through exercise, both allow us to experience the most authentic vitality and freedom of life. "Running is a path to happiness, and happiness may be the very original intention we should never lose when exploring knowledge and facing the world."

Special thanks to ANTA Group for its generous support of Xinya College's "Group Running" event, and to the Xinya Baking Club for preparing delightful desserts for the Collective Talks.