On September 4, 2012, at 7:30 PM, a grand send-off party for the TNF “Tor des Géants” race was held at Motta Coffee in Beijing's Jianwai SOHO.
After two months of recruitment and selection, Beijing’s Wang Zichen (Let Zichen Fly for a While), Gao Qing (Jamesgaoqing), Yang Jianguo (A Liang), and Dalian’s Yu Lei (DL Torpedo) will represent the Tecnica Trail Running Team (TTT – TNF China Trail Running Team) in this September’s 330-kilometer iconic ultra-trail event in Italy — the Tor des Géants. This marks the first time Chinese athletes have participated in the “Tor des Géants,” opening a brand-new chapter in the history of the race.
A reporter from GreenLight Outdoor Network had the opportunity to interview one of China’s Tor des Géants team members, Yang Jianguo (A Liang), for a friendly and in-depth exclusive interview.
GreenLight Outdoor Network (hereinafter referred to as GreenLight): How do you manage energy and pace during an ultra-trail run?
Yang Jianguo (hereinafter referred to as A Liang): It depends on the distance. Different ultra-trail lengths require different energy distributions. The key is to distribute your energy evenly throughout the race because you’ll be carrying gear and need to manage nutrition. Avoid going out too fast at the beginning, or you’ll become extremely fatigued later on. Lactic acid will build up quickly, slowing you down and reducing muscle endurance, which increases the risk of injury. So, it’s important to maintain a consistent pace based on the race distance and elevation.
GreenLight: How do you protect your knees during an ultra-trail run, especially when descending?
A Liang: Ultra-trail running is a long-duration activity. Start slowly and don’t overdo it. Once your body is warmed up and loose, you can gradually increase your speed. Regular training is also essential—you can start with jogging to strengthen your knees, and you can also do more wall sits regularly.
GreenLight: Have you seen the course for the Italian Tor des Géants? Is it wild? Do you feel confident?
A Liang: I’ve seen the course. This year’s Tor des Géants in Italy covers 330 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 24,000 meters—equivalent to three times the height of Mount Everest—and reaches altitudes of 4,000 meters. The weather is also quite harsh, with rain and snow expected. It’s truly wild and extremely challenging.
But it’s precisely because of such a course that we want to take on the challenge and conquer it. Overcoming various obstacles to get selected and trained, and having the opportunity provided by TNF, has made this race possible. We’re also very grateful to TNF and Vivick for sponsoring the gear for this ultra-trail event.
GreenLight: Have you ever run 330 kilometers before?
A Liang: No. Our training focuses on calculating time, intensity, and distance for each session. Our goal this time is for the four of us to work together to complete this journey, because it’s the first time Chinese athletes are participating in the Tor des Géants ultra-trail race. It’s a milestone moment in the history of Chinese trail running.
GreenLight: Do you have any advice for ordinary enthusiasts who want to start trail running?
A Liang: Focus on leg training regularly, such as jogging, stair climbing, wall sits, and frog jumps, to build leg strength. When your leg muscles are strong, you’ll naturally be less prone to injury.
Most importantly, don’t push yourself to extreme fatigue. Any type of training should be done in moderation. Beginners should progress gradually to avoid developing a fear of trail running.
The Tecnica Trail Running Team (TTT – TNF China Trail Running Team) was established in 2010, sponsored by TECNICA, ISPO BEIJING, ACOME, and the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Its mission is to vigorously promote trail running in China and encourage more outdoor enthusiasts to join the sport.
The Tor des Géants takes place in the mountainous region of northern Italy near France’s Rhône-Alpes area. This area is entirely mountainous and is a paradise for nature lovers, skiers, trekkers, and mountaineers. The four highest peaks in Italy — Mont Blanc (4,807m), Monte Rosa (4,637m), Cervino (4,478m), and Gran Paradiso (4,061m) — all lie along the Tor des Géants route.
As one of the world’s top ultra-trail events, the Tor des Géants is hosting its third edition this year. The course spans 330 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 24,000 meters, crossing 25 mountain passes. The race has a 150-hour cutoff and only 550 global spots available. In the previous two editions, no Chinese participants took part. This year, TNF has specially secured four “wild cards,” and four Chinese “Giants” are about to embark on their Tor des Géants journey.
Go, China’s Giants, go！