Photo by Long Wei / for China Daily

Group member Wang Li, an Industrial Bank manager in Henan province's capital Zhengzhou, also once flew to Hangzhou to participate in a jogging session and flew back immediately after the event.

"I perhaps couldn't run on my own," she says.

"But I enjoy it enough to do it with a group of friends."

Wang adds that she plans to invite the group to run with her in Zhengzhou.

Dashing forward

The group changes routes and cities to keep the pastime fresh. They often jog through scenic spots with good air quality, like Hangzhou's West Lake or suburban Shanghai's Zhujiajiao Ancient Water Town.

The group is casting its eye much farther to include such locales as Paris and Boston.

Gu Jun, an executive of China Minsheng Bank's Shanghai branch, has joined various online running groups and brings running shoes with him wherever he travels.

"A few months ago, I went to Chicago for a business trip. I checked the online group and found some runners were also in the city, so we ran together," he recalls.

Gu has tried not only marathons but also more challenging feats, such as running on mountainsides. The 40-something appears younger and more energetic than his age.

"Nowadays, there's a lot of advocacy for spreading positive energy," he says.

"Running is a form of positive energy. That's why I always encourage friends and colleagues to run with me."