2016Year, to climb a2016meter-high mountain peak！ Isn’t that a meaningful and exciting thing to do? The main peak of Hengshan, one of China’s Five Great Mountains,――Tianfeng Ridge, stands at2016.1meters, with overlapping peaks and majestic momentum, long hailed as the “Northern Pillar Between Heaven and Earth” and the “Famous Mountain at the Edge of the Wilderness.”7In24month,1500plus running enthusiasts joined China’s largest themed mountain climbing tour event — the China Fitness Mountains Climbing Race (FMC), gathering at Hengshan to begin a harmonious journey between humans and mountains.
/The race included women’s speed group, fitness group, and family doubles group. Among them, the men’s and women’s speed groups were competitive climbing categories with a certain level of athletic intensity, mainly targeting professional athletes, mountaineers, and trail running enthusiasts; the fitness group was for individual participants aiming for experience rather than competition; the family doubles group was a mass climbing category for families, using a/The women's speed climbing group is a mountaineering category aimed at speed, featuring a certain level of athletic intensity, primarily targeting professional athletes, mountaineering enthusiasts, and trail runners. The fitness group is for individual participants whose main goal is experience rather than competition. The family duo group is a mass-participation mountaineering category for families.“one adult and one child”format to strengthen the bond between parents and children while inspiring more people and promoting an active lifestyle — also a unique feature of the mountain race in its category setup.
9At around [time], the opening ceremony was grandly held at the Rear Mountain Grand Screen Wall of Hengshan, where colorful flags fluttered, the venue was packed, and participants and spectators formed a joyful sea of people. With the loud sound of the starting whistle, the three groups set off one after another, beginning their challenging journey to conquer the2016meter-high peak. It is understood that this is the first time Mount Heng, the North Yue, has participated in the Mountains Race in4years, featuring a completely different course. Although the overall route is much shorter than the previous one, the difficulty has increased. Meanwhile, the fitness group and family doubles group routes at this event were planned the same as those of the speed group, giving ordinary mountain runners the chance to feel the gap between themselves and professional mountaineers.
Participants started from Hengyin, passing by Hezhi Gate, Jade Belt Bridge, White Dragon King Hall, and Divine Spring, before finally reaching the finish line at Hengding. The total distance of the course was5.29kilometers, with a cumulative elevation gain of856meters and an altitude difference of868.1meters. Notably, the entire course featured a total of3999steps, making it the most challenging“step course in the history of the Mountains Race.”In Taoism, all things in the world are generated from “three,” and nine is the greatest number between heaven and earth. These3999steps are not only a test of our physical strength but also an opportunity to closely experience Taoist culture and the historical heritage of Hengshan.
After37minutes and33seconds of racing, Ma Mingtao from Shandong was the first to break through the finish line, winning the men’s first place in the speed group. The women’s first place went to Zheng Wenrong from Yunnan. It being summer, Hengshan is an especially great summer retreat, and participants said the whole climbing process was very comfortable, making them forget the heat of7month.
It is reported that as one of the Taoist famous mountains, the North Yue Hengshan is dotted with Taoist temples and is home to many resident Taoist practitioners. This event attracted many Taoist devotees dressed in Taoist robes to register for the race, becoming a unique and beautiful sight along the course. Among them, a female Taoist devotee from Bai Xu Guan...2012After participating in the first Hengshan Famous Mountains Race, I’m back this year to compete in the fitness category.“Hengshan is no stranger to me. Its beauty isn’t the delicate charm of the south, but rather a kind of innate grandeur. Although I often go hiking, being able to experience Hengshan together with so many fellow mountain enthusiasts is a rare opportunity. Of course, what’s even more important is that I also get to earn a finisher’s certificate as a keepsake.
“She said with a smile.
2016This year marks the fifth anniversary of the China Fitness Famous Mountains Mountain Climbing Race. Over these five years, the race has led hiking enthusiasts across the country to conquer one famous mountain after another, admiring the breathtaking views from their summits, while also growing and becoming more heartfelt with each edition. Now, the race has returned to Hengshan, not only with more professional event services and a fairer judging team, but also with richer and more exciting activities.“Famous Mountains Race on the Tip of the Tongue”、“Climb Famous Mountains, Seek Hidden Treasures”、“One Famous Mountain, One Primary School”The launch of events such as these has reignited a wave of mountain running enthusiasm in Hengshan with the return of the Famous Mountains Race.
This edition of the race is jointly organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association and the Chinese Scenic Spots Association, co-organized by the People’s Government of Hunyuan County and the Management Committee of Shanxi Hengshan Scenic Area, and exclusively operated by Shizhi Sports.
