On October 4th, with the arrival of the last participant at the finish line and the conclusion of the awards ceremony, the first 800 Li Desert Ultra Race was successfully completed. After seven days and six nights of non-stop travel across 150 hours in the desert and Gobi landscape, where 80% is uninhabited, 18 elite runners from both China and abroad crossed the finish line one after another, accomplishing an extraordinary physical and mental challenge. Chinese athlete Zhao Ziyu ultimately finished the total distance of 402.2 kilometers in 92 hours, 52 minutes, and 58 seconds to claim the championship. Chinese athlete Bai Bin and American athlete Bryon Powell secured second and third places, respectively.
Highlights of the Competitors' Performances
The successful completion of the "First 800 Li Desert Ultra Race" has also established the event as a new goal for top domestic and international athletes to set personal records. It plays a significant role in advancing the development of outdoor extreme sports events in China, while enabling more international trail runners to come to China for competition and exchange. This helps elevate the standards and global visibility of domestic outdoor extreme sports events, and also introduces China’s rich culture and breathtaking natural landscapes to the world.