It’s said that marathons are runners’ starting point, while trail running is their ultimate destination.
The recently concluded Beijing International Marathon on September 17, 2016, attracted nearly 30,000 participants, resembling a long flowing procession. Everyone dressed up in their own unique way, vying to be the most eye-catching sight on the track. Marathons have indeed become the first step for the general public toward fitness through running. Many people fall in love with running because of marathons—from beginners to loyal runners, and then to those who continuously challenge themselves. When road running can no longer satisfy them, more and more people turn their attention to trail running.
And this season’s trail running belongs to the Alps, with numerous trail running events choosing to hold their races here. The UTMB Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, 4KVDA, TDG (the Tor des Géants), and others—all have seen the world’s top runners measuring these mountains with their footsteps. Known as the “European Cup” of trail running and one of the most prestigious ultra-long-distance races internationally—GORE-TEX® Transalpine-run (GORE-TEX® Crossing the Alps Trail Run)—has also just come to a perfect close here.
Business elite transforms into outdoor hero, crossing borders for the first time to take on an international top-tier trail running challenge
This GORE-TEX® Crossing the Alps Trail Run saw the debut of a Chinese warrior—Qiu Xiaobin. Qiu Xiaobin, co-founder and board member of Wuxi Hejing Technology Co., Ltd., EMBA76 class at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, and a trail runner from the GORE-TEX® Outdoor Business School Alliance (affectionately nicknamed “Brother Xiaobin”), along with a German athlete, formed the “BINGO” team for the first time. Together, they completed the 251.3-kilometer GORE-TEX® Crossing the Alps Trail Run with a total elevation gain of 15,135 meters in 42 hours, 39 minutes, and 9 seconds. They ranked 88th overall among 269 teams and 23rd in the master men’s age group. Achieving 23rd place on their first attempt is truly an outstanding result.
A photo of the two warriors from different countries, collaborating for the first time
A partner is your feet, your hands, your trekking pole—the foundation of a team’s progress
As “Brother Xiaobin,” making his first appearance in the GORE-TEX® Crossing the Alps Trail Run, his emotions were initially mixed. Although he had extensive outdoor experience, he still felt anxious about crossing the Alps. As is well known, the Alps carry an inherent “perilous” element—they are Europe’s highest and largest mountain range, sculpted over millions of years, with peaks standing in close succession and thousands of glaciers crisscrossing, making the difficulty self-evident. For Qiu Xiaobin, who has his homeland in his heart, he said he was not only representing himself but also China, striving for outstanding results to showcase the spirit of the Chinese people to the world.
Instead of being affected by these complex emotions, they ignited his boundless potential. “Brother Xiaobin” recalled that the most memorable stages were the second and fourth. The second stage, slightly shorter than a marathon distance, featured significant vertical elevation, with most routes only wide enough for one person at a time. The steep climbs and rapid descents made the finish line seem both close and impossibly far away, testing both mental and physical endurance. The fourth stage was the first-ever glacier section, where cold intertwined with exhaustion, and one could see the white mist of their breath. He and his teammate could only keep pushing forward, refusing to give up. “I heard this place was also a filming location for 007: Spectre, so I felt like a hero in a movie,” “Brother Xiaobin” added humorously. With Qiu Xiaobin’s participation and completion of this GORE-TEX® trail run, China’s business elite have also pioneered the breakthrough from zero to one in China’s representation in major international trail running events.
A finely crafted and highly meaningful finisher’s medal was awarded to a Chinese participant for the first time
GORE-TEX® Crossing the Alps Trail Run—A Course Full of Dreams and Challenges
What exactly is the GORE-TEX® Crossing the Alps Trail Run, the event that draws outdoor enthusiasts from around the world, prompting “many heroes to vie for glory”? The GORE-TEX® Crossing the Alps Trail Run is a global event sponsored by the world-renowned outdoor brand GORE-TEX for 12 years. The course spans Germany, Austria, and Italy, relying on teamwork to traverse one of the world’s most spectacular mountain ranges—the Alps. A journey of heartbeats, adventure, and challenges attracts outdoor sports lovers from all over the world.
This year’s GORE-TEX® Crossing the Alps Trail Run course was a breathtaking highlight in history. Along the way, there are undulating highlands, continuous tourist attractions, steep and rugged ridges, grueling zigzag ascents, sprawling glacial valleys, the highest-altitude peaks, lush alpine meadows, and colorful lakes. The scenery shifts between vibrant blooms, gentle charm, open skies and clouds, and layered verdant peaks, leaving participants intoxicated and reminiscing. Challenging oneself, taking risks, exploring, and venturing in such natural beauty is truly the pinnacle of a dreamlike and challenging course.
The most stunning and varied landscapes, along with dramatic elevation changes, attract the toughest challengers while also intimidating ordinary enthusiasts
Is the business elite’s gradual turn to outdoor sports a show or genuine passion?
Nowadays, more and more business elites are engaging in outdoor sports. Some view it as a show, while others see it as genuine passion. So what’s the truth? In reality, with the gradual stabilization and improvement of China’s economic environment, the pursuits of business elites in life are no longer limited to money and career. A higher level of spiritual pursuit and a return to one’s true self have become the new trend among the newer generation of elites. After all, outdoor sports not only help strengthen their bodies but more importantly, allow for the exploration of their own potential, the release of stress, and often, slowing down to be oneself and returning to nature can also unlock greater potential, propelling them to new heights in life and even career planning.
“The father of computer science,” Turing, once admitted: Athletic talent is no less than IQ. Turing was a marathon enthusiast and even applied for the Olympics but regrettably had to withdraw due to injury. But there’s no denying the help sports brought to his career. Just as Qiu Xiaobin posted after the race: “Mountain climbing, ultra-long-distance trail running—these sports are never so decent or cool-looking, and are more about enduring hardship. But the captivating part is reaching that ‘extreme,’ which allows me to perceive life, happiness, and the most beautiful gifts from nature and humanity more acutely.”
Organizers didn’t use public resources, allowing residents, tourists, and runners to enjoy the event together
The most splendid views lie atop perilous peaks. To witness breathtaking scenery, one must endure twists, turns, and challenges. Before nature, we often marvel at our own insignificance and at nature’s incredible craftsmanship. People spend their entire lives searching for unique views, traversing mountains and rivers, going through ups and downs, to find that incomparably stunning sight in their hearts.
In the future, the GORE-TEX® brand will double down on efforts to continue supporting outdoor enthusiasts like “Brother Xiaobin,” aiming to set more records in China and even the world. Just as the GORE-TEX® brand, along with Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management, BiMBA of National School of Development, CEIBS, and seven other top domestic business schools’ eight outdoor sports associations/clubs, jointly initiated the GORE-TEX® Business School Outdoor Activities Alliance with the slogan “Go big or go home, play wild or go home”—it will continue to create bold platforms, providing opportunities to challenge oneself and pursue excellence. China’s outdoor movement is just beginning to take off, but it is believed that in the future, more and more outdoor sports enthusiasts will find themselves, break through limits, and achieve a better future through outdoor challenges. Meanwhile, the GORE-TEX® Business School is also embracing talents from all walks of life with an inclusive attitude.