A historic site sees a fitness boom | 2019 China Mountain Marathon Series—Wuhan Xinzhou Station Successfully Concluded ...

On November 17, the 2019 China Mountain Marathon Series "Xinqijian Cup" Wuhan Xinzhou Station race and the 3rd Wuhan Workers' Mountain Climbing Competition commenced with the sound of a starting gun in Wuhan's Xinzhou District. The event was organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association and the Hubei Provincial Sports Bureau, hosted by the Wuhan Municipal Sports Bureau, Wuhan Federation of Trade Unions, Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism, and the People's Government of Xinzhou District, Wuhan. It was exclusively operated by Beijing Nantianxing Sports Industry Development Co., Ltd., with media promotion by Paonar Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.

▲ Starting Gun Sounds

At 8:30 AM, Liu Peng, Honorary Chairman of the Chinese Olympic Committee and former Director of the General Administration of Sport of China, declared the event open. Attendees at the opening ceremony included Wang Yongfeng, Vice President of the Chinese Mountaineering Association; Zhou Yong, Deputy Director of the Hubei Provincial Sports Bureau; Wang Shenshun, Director of the Wuhan Municipal Sports Bureau; Li Wenmao, Head of the New Projects Department of the Chinese Mountaineering Association; Huang Xiangwu, Vice President of the Wuhan Federation of Trade Unions; Li Jinsong, Deputy Director of the Wuhan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism; Zhao Lihong, Secretary of the CPC Xinzhou District Committee; Liu Runchang, District Chief of Xinzhou District; Wei Jiuming, Director of the Xinzhou District People's Congress Standing Committee; Yi Jinlian, Chairman of the Xinzhou District CPPCC; Olympic diving champion Wang Xin; Guo Zihui, General Manager of Beijing Nantianxing Sports Industry Development Co., Ltd.; and Yu Baolin, Chairman of Xinqi Construction Group Co., Ltd. Also present were guests from Lichuan, Hubei, Xinyang and Zhumadian, Henan, as well as representatives from relevant enterprises in Xinzhou District, members of the Mountain Marathon Organizing Committee, judges, athletes, volunteers, and members of the press.

▲ Opening Ceremony

At 9:00 AM, the race officially began. Wang Yongfeng, Vice President of the Chinese Mountaineering Association and renowned mountaineer, along with Wang Xin, 2008 Beijing Olympics women’s synchronized 10m platform diving champion and celebrated diver, served as pacemakers. Over 6,000 energetic participants ran and hiked along the “most beautiful mountain road” in eastern Wuhan—the Red Tourism Highway in the Xinzhou mountainous area—climbing hills and trails while unleashing their athletic passion.

▲ Leaders and Guests Pace the Runners

▲ Runners Start the Race

This marked the second time the China Mountain Marathon has been held in Wuhan’s Xinzhou District, following the successful 2018 edition. The China Mountain Marathon Series is a national-level mountain marathon event approved by the Chinese Mountaineering Association and launched in 2016, recognized as the most authoritative domestic mountain marathon competition.

With the theme “Running Toward the Mountains, An Extraordinary Journey,” the race featured three categories: a 42KM individual race, a 21KM individual race, and a 10KM mass fitness race. Over 6,000 participants came from across the country. Li Wenmao, Head of the New Projects Department of the Chinese Mountaineering Association, noted that this was the largest-scale edition since the China “Mountain Marathon” began in 2016.The starting venue, Wenjin Academy, has a history of more than 2,000 years. Legend has it that when Confucius traveled through the various states, he passed by this place and “sent Zilu to ask for the ford,” hence the name of the academy. Xinzhou is thus known as the “historic site of asking for the ford.”

▲ Wenjin Academy

Participants set off from the square of Wenjin Academy in Xinzhou, following the mountainous red tourism highway as the main route, traveling through mountain paths, roads, and dirt trails; circling reservoirs, passing through forests, and taking in scenic spots; enjoying the mountain views and breathing in the fresh, pleasant air.

The red tourism highway, serving as the main route for the race, cuts through the eastern mountainous region of Xinzhou, linking multiple attractions in a picturesque chain. With verdant mountains and flowing waters, it is hailed as the “most beautiful mountain road” in eastern Wuhan.

▲ Runners Sprinting Through the Mountains

Along the way, participants departed from Wenjin Academy and passed by attractions such as the lake-beautiful Shaotan River, Lion Rock resembling a crouching lion, the poetic countryside of Dawu Mountain, Chenglouzhai—a fortress built during the Taiping Rebellion—Daojiaohe Scenic Area famous for its unique mountains and clear waters. The journey offered dynamic scenery, whether running uphill or along waterways, with picturesque views at every turn.

▲ Runners Sprinting Through the Mountains

The starting point, Wenjin Academy, exudes an ancient, elegant, and tranquil charm. With a history of over 2,000 years, Wenjin Academy is honored as China’s oldest “university.” It has hosted lectures and teachings by numerous historical scholars and officials, including the great Tang Dynasty poet Du Mu, Song Dynasty Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi, Yuan Dynasty scholar Long Renfu, Ming Dynasty philosopher Wang Yangming, Qing Dynasty official Yu Chenglong, and Qing Dynasty Westernization Movement figure Zhang Zhidong. The academy is considered the cradle of literary talent in eastern Hubei during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties. It is now listed as a key cultural relic protection unit in Hubei Province. The surrounding area also features historical sites such as Kongtan Bridge, Zuoshi Rock, Mochi Pool, and Jinbuche.

▲ Runners Sprinting Through the Mountains

The finish line of the 42KM individual race is Daojiaohe Scenic Tourism Area, renowned as an exceptional site for meditation and nature appreciation. The entire scenic area consists of 72 beautiful peaks and one large artificial lake. The crystal-clear waters and stunning mountain reflections create breathtaking views. The area includes over 20 attractions such as the famous Chu Tian temple Baoyuan Chan Temple, Wanfo Pagoda, Bao’anzhai Forest Park, the unique Qishi Bull rock formation, and Hongyang Tree.

Chenglouzhai Tianxiang Tea Garden Auto Campsite is the endpoint for the 21KM individual race. Nestled among undulating peaks and blessed with a pleasant climate, the area has a long history of tea cultivation. “Chenglouzhai Tea” has won multiple awards.

▲ Runners Sprinting Through the Mountains

It is reported that the China Mountain Marathon has been held in Wuhan’s Xinzhou District for two consecutive years, receiving widespread acclaim from all sectors of society. The mountain marathon events in Xinzhou have also filled a void in Wuhan’s mountain racing scene. Yan [name unclear], Deputy Director of the Wuhan Municipal Sports Bureau, recently stated in a media interview, “With strong support from the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the provincial and municipal sports bureaus will work together with Xinzhou District to make the mountain marathon the sixth major event in Wuhan, following the ‘Five Horses’—Hanma (Wuhan Marathon), Shuima (Wuhan Water Marathon), Saima (Wuhan International Horse Racing Festival), Tianma (World Fly-in Convention), and Tiema (China Auto Moto Gathering)—collectively known as the ‘Five Horses Galloping.’ This new addition will be called Shanma (Mountain Marathon).”

▲ Runners Sprinting Through the Mountains

To continuously build the mountain marathon brand, the People's Government of Xinzhou District has signed a five-year strategic cooperation agreement with Beijing Nantianxing Sports Industry Development Co., Ltd., the exclusive operator of the China Mountain Marathon. The Wuhan Xinzhou Station race has been included in the long-term cooperation plan of the China Mountain Marathon Series, making it currently the only branded mountain marathon event in Wuhan.

The 42KM individual race featured an accumulated elevation gain of over 900M, while the 21KM individual race had over 300M of elevation gain. A total of 600 professional marathon athletes competed in both the 42KM and 21KM individual races.

▲ The runners are sprinting on the track.

After an intense competition, Li Bo from Chongqing ultimately won the men's championship in the 42KM individual race with a time of 2:31:39; Batmengkai from Guangdong and Zhu Kun from Guizhou took the men's runner-up and third place in the 42KM individual race, respectively.

▲ Award ceremony for the men's 42KM individual race

Yang Hua from Guizhou won the women's championship in the 42KM individual race with a time of 2:56:03; Lu Yangchun from Yunnan and Zhu Bingying from Henan claimed the women's runner-up and third place in the 42KM individual race, respectively.

Zhao Guohu from Zhejiang won the men's championship in the 21KM individual race with a time of 1:13:49; Gao Jinggang from Shaanxi and Liu Chao from Shandong took the men's runner-up and third place in the 21KM individual race, respectively.

▲ Award ceremony for the men's 21KM individual race

Zhou Lili from Guizhou won the women's championship in the 21KM individual race with a time of 1:29:00; Zhang Na from Liaoning and Tang Jingyan from Sichuan claimed the women's runner-up and third place in the 21KM individual race, respectively.

▲ Award ceremony for the women's 21KM individual race

It is reported that Xinzhou is a new eastern city of Wuhan, covering an area of 1,500 square kilometers with a permanent population of one million. It is a rapidly emerging urban district of Wuhan and also a new economic growth pole with strong development vitality and investment potential.

In recent years, two major national strategies—the core area of the Yangtze River Midstream Shipping Center and the Wuhan National Aerospace Industry Base—have been successively established in Xinzhou, making it a natural and pivotal part of the national strategic layout.

▲ Core area of the Wuhan National Aerospace Industry Base

Seizing the period of strategic opportunity explosion, the Xinzhou District Party Committee and District Government have made high-level plans and established a high-quality development framework of "two leading pillars, three-city linkage, and multi-point efforts." That is, led by the two national strategies—the Wuhan National Aerospace Industry Base and the core area of the Yangtze River Midstream Shipping Center—to drive high-quality development across the district; by building the Yangluo New City, boosting the Aerospace Industry New City, and radiating to the Wenjin Industry New City; and by fully advancing rural revitalization, promoting high-standard public infrastructure construction such as regional transportation, ecology, and environmental protection across urban and rural areas, and advancing high-level balanced development in education, culture, sports, healthcare, employment, and social security across urban and rural areas, with multi-point efforts forming a momentum of high-level comprehensive well-being and high-quality development.

The Xinzhou District Party Committee and District Government have planned at a high starting point and advanced with high efficiency the construction of the "Heart of Yangluo" in the Yangluo New City, creating a landmark of the eastern new city on the Wuhan Yangtze River Axis. The national-level aerospace new city integrates elements such as policy, land, finance, and services to build an innovative and open platform, attracting high-quality enterprises to settle in. The ecological core area of the Wenjin New City has rapidly advanced infrastructure construction including road traffic, urban greening, quality residential areas, and education and medical facilities, laying out the framework for large-scale development and construction of the new city.

 ▲ Yangluo Port Photo by Xiao Jinsong

Xinzhou is also known as the "Hometown of Construction," "Hometown of Education," "Hometown of Mushrooms," "Hometown of Philanthropy," and "Hometown of Folk Art." Xinzhou boasts excellent ecology, with the best air quality in Wuhan.

The highly anticipated China Mountain Marathon Series – Wuhan Xinzhou Station has come to a close. On November 24th, let’s gather in Qianjiang District, Chongqing, to kick off this year’s mountain marathon finals and embark on an unforgettable mountain city journey together!