In 2013, running was not seen as a sport in China. It was the brainless warm-up before every PE class, the horrific 1,000-meter test, or a boring activity for people who couldn’t do any other sport. Non-runners were confused as to why anyone would subject themselves to such a boring, exhausting, and purposeless activity.
The truth is that there is no rational reason that would convert the doubters. The magic of running is something you only discover once you start to run.