On June 14, the press conference for China’s highest-altitude multi-discipline mountain outdoor race, the “Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge,” was held in Kunming, Yunnan. The event will take place from July 6 to 7, 2013, in the Jiaozi Mountain Scenic Area of Kunming, at elevations ranging from 1,935 meters to 4,223 meters. At that time, over a hundred outdoor sports enthusiasts from 25 teams across the country will take part in this all-weather, all-terrain, all-sport outdoor competition on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. Notably, the legendary New Zealand couple and members of the Red Bull Outdoor Team, the Uschiols, will be on-site at Jiaozi Mountain. They will not only lead pre-race training camps to help participants gear up more effectively, but will also compete during the event, teaming up with China’s top athletes Yang Jiagen and Pazu La.
The Red Bull 24-Hour Off-Road Challenge is the only non-stop, round-the-clock outdoor race in China launched by Red Bull. Its key features include being held in a natural environment, operating continuously day and night, and combining various sporting disciplines. With moderate difficulty and intensity, the race balances competitiveness and accessibility, making it suitable for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Since 2011, it has been held as a coastal edition in Shenzhen and a plateau edition in Kunming. It is understood that this Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge is jointly organized by the Kunming Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, the Kunming Municipal Tourism Bureau, the Kunming Municipal Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the Jiaozi Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration of Kunming, and the Administrative Committee of the Jiaozi Mountain Tourism Development Zone in Tangdian Industrial Park, Kunming. It is hosted by the Kunming Sports Federation, the Kunming Mountaineering and Exploration Association, the Kunming Jiaozi Mountain Tourism Development Co., Ltd., and other entities, with title sponsorship from Red Bull Vitamin Drink Co., Ltd. The race will start at 2:00 PM on July 6 at the square in front of Zhuanying Town Government.
Compared to last year when the Red Bull 24-Hour first ventured into the plateau, this year’s race has seen significant adjustments to its course, with a substantial increase in difficulty, making it even more challenging. The events include a 50-kilometer mountain bike ride, a 5-kilometer cross-country run, a 25-kilometer orienteering trek over Jiaozi Mountain, as well as technical events like rappelling and zip-lining, and ethnic events such as crossbow shooting. The total distance has increased from 60 kilometers in previous years to 80 kilometers. “But the increase in difficulty is more than just one-third on the surface — you could say it has doubled,” explained Luo Zhouquan, deputy chief judge of the race and technical director of the Kunming Mountaineering and Exploration Association. “In previous years, the cycling portion was on paved roads, but after repeated surveys, we decided to move it to mountain trails and extend the distance. Additionally, this 50-kilometer mountain biking segment requires riders to climb from an altitude of around 1,900 meters up to 3,100 meters, which is a huge test for athletes.” Beyond the physical demands, the technical requirements have also risen significantly. “After about six hours of cycling and cross-country running, athletes must take a mandatory six-hour rest before tackling the most grueling part of the race — the ascent over Jiaozi Mountain. Unlike previous years, this year it will be done in orienteering format, meaning there will be no route markers during the 25-kilometer mountain crossing. Athletes will have to use GPS to locate 6–8 coordinate points and complete the course — so the orienteering skills required are very high,” said Luo Zhouquan. In addition, athletes will reach the highest point of the race — the 4,223-meter summit of Jiaozi Mountain — where they will then complete technical events such as rappelling and zip-lining. Organizers estimate that fewer than 70% of teams will finish within the allotted 24 hours.
The brand-new course for this Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge marks the first major route adjustment in the seven-year history of what was formerly known as the “Powerful Kunming” Jiaozi Mountain Crossing Challenge. The event setup and course design are considered the most refined to date, and even the “Grand Slam” winners and New Zealand “legendary couple,” the Uschiols, have shown great interest in the new route. “Although this is a race aimed at amateur outdoor enthusiasts, in terms of the design and flow of each event, it’s definitely a professional-level outdoor competition — and doing it on the plateau makes for a truly unique experience,” said Richard Uschiol. On July 5, Richard and his wife Alena Uschiol will arrive at Jiaozi Mountain to host a carefully prepared pre-race training camp for all participants. “Outdoor sports in China are growing rapidly, and many enthusiasts are shifting from casual recreation to a more professional mindset. At this stage, they especially need guidance and training from experienced professionals,” said Luo Zhouquan. “We’re especially grateful to Red Bull for inviting the Uschiols to Yunnan. As some of the best outdoor athletes in the world, they can not only offer technical guidance but also share their passion for outdoor sports with more people.”
Ms. Zhu Jinyu, Deputy Director of the Kunming Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, attended the press conference and delivered a speech
“I know outdoor sports are developing very quickly in China, and I hope to share our years of experience and philosophy in this field, so that more Chinese people can fall in love with outdoor activities and enjoy the fun they bring,” said Richard. Now 36, Richard met Finnish outdoor athlete Alena — also a beauty — in a competition eight years ago, and the two married in 2007. This was not only a milestone in their relationship but also the beginning of a legendary chapter in the outdoor sports world — together, they went on to win four of the world’s top outdoor competitions over the next few years: the Raid World Championship, the Seven Star International Adventure Race, the Abu Dhabi International Adventure Challenge, and the Wulong International Outdoor Open, achieving an outdoor sports “Grand Slam.” At the same time, Richard is also an accomplished triathlete, holding the record for the prestigious Challenge Wanaka race in New Zealand and placing seventh in the globally renowned Xterra World Championships. Richard’s “legendary” status also stems from his background in a sport that is, seasonally speaking, at the opposite end of the spectrum from outdoor adventuring — freestyle skiing. He represented New Zealand at the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics in the men’s moguls event, finishing 25th.
“In New Zealand, the outdoor sports training system is already very mature. Many people receive professional outdoor education from a young age. As far as I know, in China, aside from a few schools offering relevant courses, most enthusiasts learn through trial and error. Given the current pace and stage of development of outdoor sports in China, I think there is a need for training that combines professional theory with practical experience,” said Richard. Aside from being a professional outdoor athlete, he currently runs a company in New Zealand that designs paddles and kayaks — a business that naturally evolved from years of accumulated experience. “It’s a pity there are no water events in this plateau challenge, so I can’t share our expertise in kayaking. But we’re still bringing specialized techniques for running, cycling, rope skills, and insights on competing and training at high altitudes, including how to fuel scientifically during events. Maybe we can talk about kayaking techniques at the Red Bull 24-Hour Coastal Challenge in Shenzhen later this year.”
In addition to the pre-race training, Richard and Alena will also compete alongside China’s top outdoor athletes Yang Jiagen and Pazu La as part of the Red Bull Outdoor Team. Normally based in Nelson, a city in the northern part of New Zealand’s South Island, they enjoy abundant sunshine and a warm climate year-round but rarely get the chance to train at high altitudes. “This will be a rare opportunity for both training and experience. Not only is the race taking place at high elevation, but we’ll also be teaming up with Chinese athletes. In past competitions, we were always rivals — I know they’re amazing at running. This is our first time competing as a team with Chinese athletes, and we’re really looking forward to it,” said Richard.