At 5 p.m. on May 30, the 2015 Shaoxing Ancient City Cross-Country Running Orienteering Race concluded successfully at Shaoxing City Square. This event was hosted by the People’s Government of Shaoxing City and organized by the Shaoxing Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism, Shaoxing Municipal Sports Bureau, Shaoxing Municipal Tourism Commission, Shaoxing Tourism Group, and Huizhong International Sports Management Co., Ltd. Through early recruitment, one thousand participants gained a deeper understanding of the 2,500-year history of Shaoxing’s ancient city.
The race achieved significant innovation in both its format and venue selection. According to statistics, the average finish time for all participants in the full-course category of the Shaoxing Ancient City Cross-Country Running Orienteering Race was six hours, with a remarkable completion rate of 96.8%. Moreover, no participants experienced any physical discomfort, and there were no traffic accidents caused by the event. During the race, participants used urban transportation maps, mission booklets, scenic spot signs, and guide materials to complete designated orienteering tasks. Throughout the process, they engaged in continuous communication and teamwork, sharing wisdom and courage in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. Notably, the race could be completed entirely using public transportation and on foot. Compared to traditional large-scale events, it eliminated the need to close major urban traffic arteries, thereby avoiding disruption to city traffic and reducing resource consumption. At the same time, it pioneered and redefined new ways to promote urban tourism and cultural landscapes.
At 8:30 a.m., the opening ceremony was held at the Yu Mausoleum Square at the Dayu Mausoleum. Attending the ceremony were Yu Zhihong, Deputy Secretary of the Shaoxing Municipal Committee and Mayor of Shaoxing, Yao Yuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor, and Yao Ming. “Old Shaoxing, intoxicatingly southern—Shaoxing is a cultural ancient city with a history of 2,500 years, blessed with beautiful mountains and rivers, and home to numerous notable figures. This race is also a 2,500-year encounter, a journey of discovery through the ancient city. I hope everyone can enjoy and immerse themselves in it. Today, we gather in Shaoxing; tomorrow, we hope everyone will fall in love with this city,” said Yao Yuan, Member of the Standing Committee of the Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor, in his opening speech.
With the gradual integration of running culture and fashion culture, innovative events such as orienteering races, 24-hour relays, and Color Runs have gained widespread popularity among the public. As a brand-new event trialed for the first time in the ancient city of Shaoxing, the 2015 Shaoxing Ancient City Cross-Country Running Orienteering Race brought not only health and joy to people across the nation but also introduced a new exploration model for the tourism service industry.