On August 8, the first Tengchong RW50 "Retracing the Expeditionary Route" International Trail Challenge started at Qiaotou Joint Primary School in Jietou Town. After a full day of competition, 110 participants from 10 countries and regions covered the 50km course, retracing the Expeditionary Force's historic route against the Gaoligong Mountains. In the end, Yunnan athlete Yang Dinghong won the men's title with a time of 5 hours and 17 minutes, while Russian runner Olya claimed the women's crown with a time of 6 hours 58 minutes and 45 seconds.

    This edition of the Tengchong RW50 "Retracing the Expeditionary Route" International Trail Challenge was jointly organized by the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation and the Yunnan Overseas Friendship Association, and hosted by the Tengchong County People's Government and TiTan Media Group Co., Ltd. The course was set along the historic route taken by the 198th Division of the 20th Army Group of the Expeditionary Force over 70 years ago as they crossed the Beijigongfang area of the Gaoligong Mountains. Participants not only embarked on a profound patriotic journey but also enjoyed the stunning landscapes of China’s southwestern frontier.

    At 8:00 AM on the 8th, with the starting gun fired by Huang Yi, Standing Committee Member and United Front Work Department Head of the Yunnan Provincial Committee of the CPC, Jing Dunquan, Vice Chairman of the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, and 10 other leaders and guests, the athletes dashed off to compete over the grueling 50km course. The extreme difficulty of the original Expeditionary Force route quickly became apparent as the winding mountain paths stretched the field thin, rapidly separating runners by skill level. After the initial 10-plus kilometers, Yang Dinghong from Yunnan established a clear lead, which he extended during the toughest mountain section at the 16km mark. He ultimately crossed the finish line first with a time of 5 hours, 17 minutes, and 18 seconds. Forty minutes later, Wang Shaolu claimed second place with a time of 5:57:21, followed by Zhao Sanliang in third at 5:59:16. On the women’s side, the gap between the top three was also significant. Russian runner Olya won the women’s title in 6:58:45, followed by Zeng Fanqun in second with 7:43:58, and Liu Dongwei in third at 8:20:44.
    That evening on August 8, Mr. Lu Caiwen, Executive Vice President of the Yunnan Kuomintang Veterans Association, along with four war veterans—Zhang Tiliu, Li Huiying, and He Shaocong—attended the awards banquet. The veteran representatives also served as award presenters for the top three male and female finishers. During the ceremony, 90-year-old war hero Lu Caiwen stated, “Thank you all for caring about us veterans and for remembering this war. May everyone keep this history alive and continue to safeguard our nation’s peace.”
    Despite the challenging course, many participants said afterward that the Tengchong RW50 "Retracing the Expeditionary Route" International Trail Challenge had become an unforgettable life experience. The event’s deep historical significance, thoughtfully designed course, and excellent logistical support earned widespread praise from all athletes.