On July 24 at 16:30, the first MAXi·Chongli International Duo Trail Running Challenge (hereinafter referred to as MAXi·Chongli) concluded successfully. Starting at 14:00 on July 23, the 50 km, 10 km, and 25 km categories successively set off from the starting point at Genting, traversing Chongli’s meadows, flower-covered landscapes, wind turbines, and birch woods to complete a high-altitude trail running challenge.
Chongli is under the jurisdiction of Zhangjiakou City and is located 220 kilometers from Beijing. Thanks to its unique mountainous terrain and climate, locals describe Chongli’s landforms as “mountain upon mountain, stretching endlessly; valleys within valleys, too many to count.” These wild mountain trails, usually only frequented by shepherds, and the seemingly endless rolling hills exceeded most participants’ expectations of course difficulty. The rugged wilderness not only fulfilled many runners’ desire for an untamed run but also became a profound memory forged through challenge.
The starting elevation of the MAXi·Chongli event was approximately 1,700 meters. The 50 km category involved a total elevation gain of 2,424 meters, the 10 km category 583 meters, and the 25 km category 1,148 meters. The route passed by the Dolomiti Ski Resort and Thaiwoo Ski Resort, areas featuring vast grasslands and secondary forests, with stunning natural scenery and a pleasant climate.
Prior to the race, Chongli had experienced several days of heavy rain, but fortunately, the weather cleared on race day, with bright sunshine during the day and moderate winds. Runners were spared the challenge of running in the rain.
Looking back at the moment the runners crossed the finish line, the excitement and joy were palpable and infectious to everyone present. Such happiness is the well-deserved reward for those who endure hardships and persevere to the end.
With spiritual rewards came material ones. At the award ceremony, cash prizes and gifts were both in abundance. Sponsors such as Aiboma, MICO, tecnica, and Audi were generous, and the winning athletes went home with plenty of “trophies”!
And for those who didn’t make it to the podium, what they gained was equally meaningful—the unique joy that only mountain runners can truly appreciate, a blend of sweat and exhilaration.
Reflecting on their experience at the first MAXi·Chongli, participants all agreed that the beauty of Chongli enchanted them, while its wildness became an unforgettable memory for most.
In July 2016, MAXi·Chongli allowed us to immerse ourselves in the comfort of nature, captivated us with endless blue skies and green fields, and left us yearning to take on the challenge of the mountains once again.
Seeing the positive feedback from participants about our organizing team made every bit of hard work worthwhile. The supply stations, course setup, medals, timing services—all were highly commended by the runners. This support motivates us to put even more heart into future events and deliver even more satisfying services.
This year’s journey has now come to a temporary close,
See you again in Chongli next summer, 2017!