Wuhan, Hubei - "I swam across the Yangtze River for the first time when I was 13, and I have never missed one single Wuhan International Crossing Yangtze River Festival since then," said 65-year-old Song Shian, deputy secretary-general of Wuhan Swimming Association.

This year is no exception. Song Shian took part in this year's festival on July 16, which attracted more than 3,000 competitors. The festival included an individual swimming match and a group swimming match. Twenty teams, with more than 100 competitors in each team, participated in the group contest. All competitors are required to swim from Hanyangmen Pier in Wuchang to Hanyangzui on the south beach.

"To swim more than 1,800 meters isn't an easy task," Li Hong, a 20-year-old girl from Yunnan province, told China Daily. "The rapid water is really a challenge." Li won the female competition with a record 14"20'16.

The winner of the male competition was 16-year-old Liu Zhengran from Wuhan, who swam across the Yangtze River in 15"01'92.

Both Li and Liu received $8,000 for their wins.

Wuhan International Crossing Yangtze River Festival became a custom in Wuhan dating back to July 16, 1966, when 73-year-old Chairman Mao swam across Yangtze River. The celebration of this day became an international festival in the following years.