At 8:00 a.m. 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 rushed to the starting line, commencing the fierce competition over the 50-km course. Soon after the start, the grueling nature of the Expeditionary Force’s original marching route became evident in the challenging terrain, with winding mountain paths stretching the runners into a long line and quickly widening the gap between athletes of varying abilities. After the initial 10-plus kilometers, Yang Dinghong from Yunnan established a clear lead, which he further extended during the toughest mountain section after the 16-km mark. He ultimately claimed the championship with a time of 5 hours, 17 minutes and 18 seconds. Forty minutes later, Wang Shaolu arrived at the finish line as the second-place finisher with a time of 5 hours, 57 minutes and 21 seconds, while Zhao Sanliang finished third with a time of 5 hours, 59 minutes and 16 seconds. On the women’s side, the gap among the top three was also significant. The Russian athlete Olya, who won the women’s title, finished in 6 hours, 58 minutes and 45 seconds; Zeng Fanqun came in second with a finishing time of 7 hours, 43 minutes and 58 seconds; and Liu Dongwei took third with a time of 8 hours, 20 minutes and 44 seconds.
    On the evening of August 8, Lu Caiwen, Executive Vice President of the Yunnan Huangpu Alumni Association, along with four veterans of the War of Resistance—Zhang Tiliu, Li Huiying, and He Shaocong—attended the award ceremony. The veteran representatives also served as award presenters for the top three male and female finishers. During the awards ceremony, the over-90-year-old war hero Lu Caiwen said: “Thank you all for caring about us veterans, and for caring about this war. I hope everyone will remember this history and continue to safeguard our nation’s peace.”
    Despite the considerable difficulty of the course, many participants said after the race that the Tengchong RW50 "Retracing the Expeditionary Route" International Trail Challenge had become a life-changing experience they would cherish forever. The event’s profound historical background, scientifically designed course, and thoughtful logistical support received unanimous praise from the athletes.