Commute to school: Graduates' 12km run video goes viral, they tell principal 'use this to recruit'

Two graduating students from Pingtung Senior High School in Taiwan have created a viral video documenting their 12-kilometer run to school, capturing the daily commute that has become a symbol of their high school experience. Guo Cheng-wei, who lives in Ligang Township, and Zhou Ting-an, from Changzhi Township, decided to record their journey before graduation.

Guo, an avid runner, typically takes a 30-minute bus ride to school. The video captures his run along Provincial Highway 3, with Zhou cycling alongside to film the entire process. The 1.5-minute video, which includes Guo stopping to vomit from exertion and taking two breaks, has garnered over 150,000 views on social media platforms in less than three weeks. They even documented Guo eating a banana for breakfast before starting the run.

Their journey took one hour and 15 minutes, with locals twice offering them rides, which they declined. Zhou emphasized that the filming was done safely, with him cycling behind Guo when there was traffic. The students edited the footage themselves and uploaded it, surprised by the overwhelming positive response and comments like "Glory to Pingtung High!"

Guo jokingly told the principal that the video would be a great recruitment tool. Principal Wang Yu-hui found the video amusing and noted it conveyed the students' affection for the school. Both students expressed their positive experiences at Pingtung Senior High, praising the teachers' dedication and the strong bonds among students, encouraging junior high graduates to consider attending their school.