Who says a relay race must be all about pushing to run the fastest?
When a relay race is infused with team guessing, its fun factor increases significantly. Just so, on the afternoon of November 15th, near Beijing’s Zhuo Zhan at the Wukesong Olympic Forest Park, over 50 running enthusiasts gathered to experience a small-scale fun time-guessing running event. The weather in the capital that day was exceptionally cooperative, seemingly destined to join the runners in parting the smog for clear skies.
The time-guessing race is structured as follows: each running group consists of seven members who jointly complete a half-marathon relay. Before starting, they estimate their finishing time, and the team with the smallest difference between their actual and estimated finish times wins.
The seemingly fun and simple time-guessing race actually sets certain demands for the runners:
1. Understand your own running ability.
2. Have a stable foundation of regular training.
3. Be able to quickly assess the on-site running environment.
After focused group discussions, the teammates determined the estimated time for completing the team relay.
@All Mountain, All Trail — “Unorganized, but disciplined.”
When a group of trail running fanatics came to the city to participate in a road race, they seemed to have let go of competitive results, making photo-taking their top priority, using the sounds of shutters to express sheer joy.
@Beihang Marathon Association — “One can run fast alone, but together we can run far.”
A group of like-minded Beihang students, they are outstanding members of the Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics Marathon Association and also rising stars in the running world. Their curiosity about free running brought them together to this fun event hosted by Salomon.
@Guangming Running — “Guangming Running, just run. Joy with every step, health every day.”
As the largest running group present, they have participated in various running activities and competitions. They showed great interest in this novel running event and had a lot of fun.
Jean Marc, the Global President of Salomon, who arrived in Beijing that afternoon, also came to the event site to cheer everyone on. Eventually, unable to contain their eagerness, they, along with guests Dong Li and Shan Hu, spontaneously formedthe “Dong Li Fan Club” — an extravagant supporting team,which regrettably ended in “failure” due to finishing way ahead of their estimated time, much to the amusement of the participants.
@R-unique Actors Guild — “Can run, can act, forever newbies looking for guidance!”
Look at this photo, and you’ll easily catch the “actor” vibe. Their members can “star” in almost any role, from seniors in their 60s to teenagers, covering all ages. Among them, the “Five Rings Brother,” who ran the Olympic rings to celebrate his birthday, is the guild leader.
@yCoolRun Beijing — “CoolRun Beijing, run by night, enjoy night runs.”
As another young Beijing running group, they are undoubtedly a cohesive and energetic team. In the end, both the @R-unique Actors Guild and @yCoolRun Beijing won with final times just six seconds off their estimates.
The “Breaking Wind Running” team time-guessing activity allowed all participants to experience a new running philosophy — know yourself, enjoy the run. This is precisely the essence of Salomon’s brand ethos: running freely and joyfully.
Finally, the event concluded brilliantly with an awards and sharing session.
Without movement, our bodies would cease to be bodies;
Without joy, our movement would cease to be movement.
Fortunately, the sport of running brings us
nothing but joy.
And such a half-marathon time trial is just the beginning of running.
Let’s look forward to the next exciting Salomon-themed running event together!
For more information about the event and the brand, please follow Sina Weibo @salomon萨洛蒙
(Appendix:AMER SPORTSAbout Amer Sports andSalomonSalomonBrand Introduction)
About AMER SPORTSAmer Sports Introduction
AMER SPORTSAmer Sports is a world-leading sports equipment brand management group,，dedicated to providing professional athletes and amateur sports enthusiasts with the most advanced sports technology products globally. Amer Sports was1950founded in Finland,and listed on the NASDAQ Nordic Market1977inNASDAQ OMX.
From winter sports to summer sports, from indoor to outdoor activities, from individual to team sports, for both adults and children, and for professionals as well as casual enthusiasts, Amer Sports is committed to delivering the best performance and most enjoyable experience. The Amer Sports brand portfolio covers a wide range of sports including tennis, badminton, golf, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, skateboarding, fitness equipment, cycling, trail running gear, hiking equipment, and diving. As an all-weather, full-range top-tier sports equipment brand management company, its diverse product lines transcend seasonal changes and trends, maintaining a strong leadership position in the global market. Each of Amer Sports’ brands enjoys an outstanding reputation in their respective fields and is the preferred choice of many world champions.
AMER SPORTS has established its wholly-owned Chinese subsidiary — Amer Sports Trading (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., which is fully responsible for the marketing and sales of all AMER SPORTS brands in China, providing business partners and consumers with premium products and services.
The main brands currently directly operated by AMER SPORTS in China include the high-end outdoor and winter sports brand Salomon, the leading tennis and badminton brand Wilson, the fitness equipment brand Precor, and the wrist-top computer brand Suunto. The official website of AMER SPORTSwww.amersports.com
About the SALOMON Brand Introduction
Born in 1947 in the heart of the French Alps. With unwavering belief and great passion, we are fully dedicated to the development of mountaineering and the continuous innovation of mountaineering equipment; through relentless research and fearless effort, we leverage high technology to create unparalleled, cutting-edge gear that empowers you to freely conquer the mountains and surpass yourself.For more details, please visit the official SALOMON website.www.salomon.com