Adventure Racing, the Chinese Way:
News Report
On April 2nd, lead grey skies greeted participants of The Trail Runners Challenge, Guangzhou's first adventure race, a 40 mile test of courage and endurance, offering competitors running, mountain biking, swimming, rappelling, and kayaking, all within Guangzhou's city limits.

Over 80 participants from Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macao,

Beijing, and various European countries began what in the next few hours would become an agonizing lesson in pain and anguish, with some never feeling the delight of crossing the finish line.

With safety checks complete, the race started with a down hill three kilometer run in 90 degree heat and matching humidity. Afterwards, in the stifling heat, not a single competitor hesitated to dive into the murky brown water of the Long Dong, Shoa Ji Wo reservoir for the 800 meter swim.

Once out of the water, competitors sloshed through another kilometer of hard running before the start of the mountain bike phase. Strong bikers helped the weaker team members up the long and steady hill.

As the racing continued, teams made their way through the rolling hills and single track trails where bikes where eventually ditched and map and compasses became the tools of choice. To keep things simple, organizers placed the check point on the mountain top. Competitors looked at their maps and chose their own paths, some more wisely than others.

As the hours wore on and the many checkpoints and transitions came and went, the nature of the course took its toll on racers. With teams
battling the terrain, weather, and their burning muscles, the 100 meter zip line and 15 meter abseil proved much more challenging than the competitors had imagined.

Guangzhou undoubtedly provided a tough course that challenged every racer. The Trail Runner Challenge Series will have a tough act to follow next year.

First draft:

Lead grey skies greeted participants of The Trail Runners Challenge, Guangzhou's first Adventure race. The course offered competitors running, mountain biking, swimming, rappelling, and kayaking, all within Guangzhou city limits.
On April 2, over 80 participants from Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Macao, Beijing, and various European countries assembled to begin the 40 mile adventure race. The next few hours would become an agonizing lesson in pain and anguish, with some never feeling the delight of crossing the finish line.
With safety checks complete, the race started with a down hill three kilometer run in 90 degree heat and matching humidity.
With the heat, not a single competitor hesitated to dive into the murky brown water for the 800 meter swim.
Once out of the water, another kilometer of running led to the start of the mountain bike phase. Strong bikers helped the weaker team members up the long and steady hill.
As the racing continued, teams made their way through the rolling hills and single track trails where bikes where eventually ditched and map and compasses became the tool of choice. To keep things simple, organizers place the point on the mountain top, competitors looked at the maps and chose their own path, some more wisely than others.
As the hours wore on and the many checkpoints and transitions came and went, the nature of the course took its toll on racers. With teams battling the terrain, weather, and their sore muscles, the 100 meter zip line and 15 meter abseil proved much more challenging than the competitors had imagined.

Guangzhou undoubtedly provided a tough course that challenged every racer. The Trail Runner Challenge Series will have a tough act to follow next year.

Learn more about this author, Emmanuel Lacoste.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

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