More than 30 priests from the Diocese of Beijing took part in the second "Tianma" (Heavenly Horse) Half Marathon on July 10 at the Beijing Catholic Seminary in China's capital, following the conclusion of the diocese's annual three-day clergy retreat, according to Fides Agenzia.
Held under the theme "Running Together as Tianma, Hearts Forever Ablaze," the event encouraged priests to "run for the Lord" while promoting physical well-being, priestly fraternity, and renewed commitment to pastoral ministry and evangelization, Fides Agenzia reported.
The half marathon followed the diocesan retreat held from July 7 to 10, reflecting the Diocese of Beijing's emphasis on the holistic formation and well-being of its clergy.
During the retreat, Bishop Joseph Li Shan encouraged priests to remain faithful to their priestly vocation and to carry out the Church's mission of evangelization with dedication. Auxiliary Bishop Zhen Xuebin, through daily homilies and reflections, urged them to cultivate the virtues and pastoral skills needed to respond to the challenges of contemporary society with a strong missionary spirit, according to Fides Agenzia.
The retreat also included a series of spiritual conferences led by Father Shi Jie, Father Li Jiangang, and Father Ren Panji, focusing on different aspects of priestly life while strengthening fraternity among the clergy.
Following the retreat, the half marathon highlighted perseverance in both physical and spiritual life. Organized under the principles of "participate according to one's ability, health first, and participation above competition," the event emphasized fellowship, spiritual growth, and mutual encouragement rather than athletic achievement alone.
Before the race, participants gathered for prayer and warm-up exercises. Refreshment stations and medical assistance were available along the route to ensure the safety of the runners, Fides Agenzia said.
An awards ceremony followed the event. Despite difficult weather conditions, several priests recorded personal best times. The fastest participant completed the course in 1 hour, 42 minutes, and 30 seconds, while the average finishing time was 2 hours, 12 minutes, and 28 seconds.
According to Fides Agenzia, the Diocese of Beijing intends to continue developing the "Tianma" initiative as part of its efforts to integrate physical well-being with spiritual formation, encouraging priests to care for both body and spirit in service of the Church while offering a positive witness to the wider Catholic community.
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