At 78, inspirational runner makes his mark

"The grade was not the most important thing. Instead, the event helped me build confidence in my health and encouraged me to keep running," he said.

In 2013, he met Yin Jie, who was in charge of a running club in Ningxia. Yin suggested he try marathons. Gu then took part in marathons in Beijing, Shanghai and Xiamen, and was the oldest front-runner at the Yinchuan International Marathon. He also broke the record for the oldest Chinese participant to finish a triathlon in China, and competed in the United States, in Tennessee.