4Month30, the “Migu Run” Cup2016Skullcandy Longteng YadingSkyrun?off-road race was successfully held in Daocheng Yading, the soul of Shangri-La. This perfect showdown in the realm of the sky attracted widespread global attention, with participants from22countries and regions taking part in this highest-altitude “sky race”
. In the end, the athlete from Nepal,Bhim Gurung, won the championship of this race with a time of3:08:30.
The Longteng YadingSkyrun?off-road race, as the first event of the Skullcandy (CMT) series under “Migu Run,” set multiple historical records in domestic and international off-road racing with its top-tier event standards, high-altitude and spectacular course, uniquely designed commemorative trophies, and exceptionally high environmental awareness.
China’s highest-standard off-road race —— Let the numbers speak
Longteng YadingSkyrun?kicked off the2016year’sSkyrunner?global off-road race series points competition. It attracted athletes from the United States, Nepal, Mexico, Italy, Iran, and22other countries and regions. According to statistics,100of the world’s top off-road runners, including80%, participated in this race. Familiar names such as Dong Li and last year’sSkyrunnerinternational series points championTadei Pivkmade appearances, making it a true showdown among the world’s top athletes.
The entire race took place on unpaved mountain roads, covering a total distance of29kilometers with a cumulative elevation gain of2300meters. Snow had fallen in the mountains the day before the race, which undoubtedly added to the difficulty. Competing under such extreme conditions tested not only the athletes’ physical strength but also their perseverance. The first-place finisher completed the race in3:08:30, with a completion rate of65%. The event was covered by multiple foreign media outlets including those from the United States and the United Kingdom, as well asCCTV, Sina, Youku, LeTV, Sohu, NetEase, iRan, and Outdoor Exploration.20Comprehensive and specialized media provided full coverage throughout the event.
Featuring top-tier professional athletes, an exceptionally high completion rate, and global media attention, the "Migu Run" Cup2016Skyrunner® Dragon Soaring Shangri-LaSkyrun?trail running race has become a new benchmark for elite domestic trail running events.
The highly distinctive commemorative trophy — stones from sacred mountains, carved on-site
This competition featured two categories, men’s and women’s, with prize money of3000US dollars,2000US dollars, and1000US dollars for the top three places respectively. After a day of intense competition, the male champion was ultimately won byBhim Gurungfrom Nepal with a time of3:08:30, while the female champion was claimed byMegan Kimmelfrom the United States with a time of3:20:39.
Undoubtedly, the biggest highlight of this race was the trophy. In order to leave participants with a special memento and give the trophy a local touch, the organizing committee enlisted a design team to brainstorm creative ideas from the very beginning. Since the race took place around the sacred mountain Xianuoduoji, they specially selected6sacred stones from the mountain, crafted a meticulously designed base, and had carving masters etch the winners’ names on the stones on-site. The men’s champion,Bhim Gurung, commented, “This is the most unique trophy I’ve ever received. It’s incredibly beautiful and distinctive. Every time I look at it, I’ll think of these wonderful people and the stunning scenery of Shangri-La.”
29Kilometers of the most beautiful mountain trail run — leave no litter behind
The "Migu Run" Cup Dragon Soaring Shangri-LaSkyrun?trail running race, as the first leg of the2016year’sSkyrunner?series, put considerable thought into selecting its course. Shangri-La was chosen as the host destination, being one of China’s most well-preserved and pristine alpine natural ecosystems, renowned as the “Last Pure Land on the Blue Planet” and the “True Soul of Shangri-La.” With deep reverence for nature, the organizing committee maintained a strong environmental awareness throughout preparation and the event itself. They placed signage along reconnaissance routes before the race, educated participants on eco-friendly practices, set up trash bins around aid stations during the race, and conducted timely post-race trail clean-ups. Truly leaving no litter behind and restoring nature to its purest state.
After the race, one participant remarked,“Sichuan’s Shangri-La is truly a magical land !29Kilometers of spectacular course included towering mountains, beautiful forests, and challenging altitudes, with breathtaking scenery. Starting from an elevation of2800meters and ascending gradually to4700meters, it felt like running towards the sky !”
Professional, meticulous service and a high-standard security team
Achieving excellence in a trail running event relies not just on scenic routes. The aid stations, route markings, security teams, rescue crews, and volunteers all met high standards and strict requirements. With participants from22countries and regions, the organizing committee specially trained volunteers proficient in multiple languages including English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish, to better assist and answer participants’ questions.
A total of6There are 60 aid stations, well-stocked with supplies such as bread, fruit, energy gels, and sports drinks. Emergency medical items, stretchers, and common medications for scrapes and falls are also fully prepared. Bilingual volunteers are stationed at every aid and checkpoint; rescue teams and medical crews entered the mountains a day in advance to make ample preparations for emergencies; the organizing committee of "Migu Run" arranged for nearly50horses to transport supplies to the aid station at an altitude of4700meters, creating a remarkable feat in the history of trail running race preparations in China; professional photographers are positioned along the route and at the highest point to capture athletes’ spectacular moments. The humanized and professional attention to detail vividly illustrates the perfect blend of ruggedness and refinement.
This Longding Yading eventSkyrun?is just“the first race of the annual series under "Migu Run"’s Shan Shan Off-Road brand,2016-2017with another top-tier trail running event scheduled for September this year—the September · Gansu Yumen Desert Run (Devil Mountain Challenge). "Migu Run" aims to leverage the Shan Shan Off-Road seriesCMTto host challenging, diverse, and unique trail running activities deep within China’s distinctive mountain landscapes, offering both domestic and international runners more opportunities to explore and appreciate China’s mountains and rivers, while also promoting the development of mountain trail running across the Asia-Pacific region and shaping2016a new landscape for trail running events in China.