On November 19, the final event of the 2017 China Fitness Mountains Series season took place at Luofu Mountain Scenic Area in Boluo County, Guangdong Province, known as a "natural oxygen bar and health destination." Over 3,000 hiking, fitness, and travel enthusiasts from across the country gathered to celebrate this major sports tourism event for all. That morning, 2012 London Olympics diving champion Luo Yutong also attended the event and led over 3,000 athletes in a warm-up run, generating an exceptionally enthusiastic atmosphere.
That morning, leaders and guests from the event’s organizing bodies—the Chinese Mountaineering Association and the China Scenic Areas Association—as well as co-organizers including the Huizhou Sports Bureau, the Luofu Mountain Scenic Area Management Committee, and the Boluo County Culture, Sports, and Tourism Bureau, and the executive organizer Guangdong Luofu Mountain Tourism Development Co., Ltd., and the exclusive operator Shizhi Sports, attended the opening ceremony. Representatives from event partners such as TUTU Outdoor, Dunbar Column Backpacks, Pure-Fun, and Hakka Grandma’s Tofu Pudding were also present, along with 2012 London Olympics diving champion Luo Yutong. This marked the 32nd national event held since the launch of the China Fitness Mountains Series and the third time the competition was held at Luofu Mountain in Guangdong. As the year-end finals of the 2017 season, the event attracted widespread attention from hiking and outdoor sports enthusiasts, igniting a wave of enthusiasm for nationwide fitness.
The event featured three categories: speed racing, family, and fitness. Among them, the speed racing category was the most challenging and also attracted numerous well-known runners in the field. After fierce competition, male athlete Jia Ourenjia from Qinghai and female athlete Xiao Yongli from Guizhou claimed the titles in the men’s and women’s speed racing categories, respectively. With the announcement of the year-end finals results, the list of annual champions for the 2017 China Fitness Mountains Series season was also revealed, and the top three athletes in the annual points ranking received their prize checks on-site.
In addition to the speed racing events, the activity site also offered a variety of fitness, entertainment, and cultural experiences for participants in the fitness and family categories, enhancing the overall experience. On-site activities included cultural performances such as "Luofu Big Drum" and "Fresh Air," food tasting of Luofu Mountain specialties, fun competitions like "Hiking the Famous Mountain to Find Treasure" and "Tasting Hakka Grandma’s Tofu Pudding," as well as a prize draw with attractive rewards. These activities comprehensively and vividly showcased the local customs and cultural charm of the host destination.
In addition, the event organizing committee, together with the Luofu Mountain Scenic Area Management Committee, organized a charity initiative called "One Mountain, One Primary School" prior to the event. They donated books, stationery, rackets, jump ropes, and other sports equipment to Sulaopu Primary School in Boluo County, and invited professional coaches to teach students about outdoor knowledge, delivering care to local students. Leveraging the influence of the event, the charity drive called on members of society to pay attention to the education of children in mountain villages and provide tangible support for the kids.
It is reported that the event’s venue, Luofu Mountain, is a national scenic area and a AAAAA-level tourist attraction. Majestically located in the central-southern part of Lingnan, it borders the Daya Bay of the South China Sea and is adjacent to Huizhou West Lake. Known as the "Number One Mountain of Lingnan," Luofu Mountain boasts vast, steep, and rugged terrain. Situated near the Tropic of Cancer, it supports the growth of diverse plant species, offering a beautiful environment and abundant resources. It is truly a health destination, earning the title of "natural oxygen bar," and is highly suitable for hiking and trekking activities.
It is understood that the China Fitness Mountains Series is a well-known themed mountaineering event brand in China. Its primary goals are to promote mountaineering and mountain outdoor sports, showcase the charm of China’s famous mountains, advocate for ecological and environmental protection, and drive the sustainable development of scenic areas. The series holds several large-scale events each year at renowned mountains across China. Aligned with the public welfare concept of "Healthy China," the series advocates for nationwide fitness, effectively advancing healthier lifestyles among the public and promoting positive social energy.
Over the past six years, the China Fitness Mountains Series has continuously optimized the event experience and expanded its influence, creating a leisure and entertainment platform that integrates "nationwide fitness, traditional culture, and ecological protection" for the general public. Throughout its development, the series has vividly demonstrated the remarkable achievements of China’s booming sports and cultural sectors in recent years, while also contributing to the growing popularity and advancement of nationwide fitness initiatives. The 2017 season of the China Fitness Mountains Series has now come to a successful close, and we look forward to even more exciting events in the 2018 season.
(Text: Dong Jiawen Photography: Wang Jiabin, Wang Hongquan)