XI'AN, China, April 14 (Xinhua) -- A leaf. A plough. A bean. Just a few of the things that gave Wei Yixiao inspiration when she worked on the medal designs for the Yangling Marathon.
The Yangling Marathon, held annually in the agricultural hi-tech industrial demonstration zone of Yangling in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, first took place in 2015.
For that inaugural event, Wei designed medals shaped like power banks for the competitors.
"My aim was not only to cheer on the runners during the race, but also encourage them to make breakthroughs in their daily lives," explained Wei, a teacher at the Art Institute of Yangling-based Northwest A&F University.
Over the subsequent years, Wei incorporated local elements of Yangling into her designs.
"The finisher medal for the 2016 edition resembled a plough, while the 2018 edition's medal featured Shaanxi patchwork handicraft elements," Wei noted.
"Through my medals, I hope to introduce Yangling to the runners across China. Thousands of years ago, Houji, a descendant of Huangdi (the Yellow Emperor), taught local people how to plant agricultural goods.
"And as China's first national-level agricultural hi-tech industrial demonstration zone, Yangling not only attracts agricultural technology innovation teams but also leads the development of agricultural modernization for arid and semi-arid areas," she added.
After a three-year break raising her two children, Wei returned to design the medal for the 2023 edition. However, she was struck by a revelation that prompted her to adjust her design philosophy.
"I realized that previous medals didn't adequately capture the runners' spirit or determination," Wei said.
"Designs should be centered on people, not just the products themselves," she stressed, echoing the principle of Bauhaus University in Weimar.
Last year, Wei designed medals in the shape of a bean seed, a creation that resonated deeply with the runners.
"On one side of the medal, you can see the tracks," Wei explained. "The seeds with the tracks symbolize the runners' continuous efforts to improve and grow stronger."
"On the other side, the map of Shaanxi is prominently displayed, emphasizing Yangling's pivotal role not only geographically but also in the realm of agriculture," she added.
Additionally, Yangling Marathon organizers took an innovative approach and requested the medal designers to design distinct medals for the participants of the 5km race.
In 2024, Yangling Marathon finishers received a medal shaped like a leaf, and every half marathon finisher was awarded a "silver leaf". For the 5km runners, each received a circular silver medal adroned with two of 24 Chinese solar terms - Jingzhe and Guyu.
"I'm thrilled to win the special medal," said seven-year-old Liu Yiyi, who ran in the 5km event. "I've nicknamed it 'doughnut' and I plan to continue running in the future."
Eager to enhance her designs year after year, Wei revealed that she would try to use AI technology in her teaching. Additionally, she will continue to design mascots for Yangling Agricultural Hi-Tech Fair and even for sports events at primary schools in Yangling.
"Although I have worked with Yangling Marathon organizing committee for a decade, I am still passionate as ever," she said. "My creativity knows no bounds."
"Just like the marathon runners, I will keep designing the medals that can touch the hearts of even more competitors," she said. ■
