2018 China Mountain Marathon Series – Xinyang Jigongshan Station Kicks Off

      9Month28Day,2018The China Mountain Marathon Series-Xinyang Jigongshan Station kicked off. Nearly1500mountain marathon enthusiasts from all over the country gathered at Jigongshan Scenic Area to take part in this sporting extravaganza.

 In the morning, the opening ceremony was held at the Jigongshan Tourist Distribution Center. Leaders from the Chinese Mountaineering Association, Zhumadian City of Henan Province, Xinzhou District of Wuhan City in Hubei Province, the Xinyang Municipal Government, the Jigongshan Management Area, and the Jigongshan Scenic Area Operation and Management Co., Ltd., as well as athletes, referees, staff, and media representatives, attended the opening ceremony. The event also specially invited Yang Hao, an Olympic gold medalist of the Chinese women's volleyball team.

2018The China Mountain Marathon Series-Xinyang Jigongshan Station is jointly organized by the Chinese Mountaineering Association, the Henan Provincial Sports Bureau, and the People’s Government of Xinyang City. It is hosted by the Xinyang Municipal Sports Bureau and the Administrative Committee of Jigongshan Management Area of Xinyang City, with the assistance of the Jigongshan Scenic Area Operation and Management Co., Ltd., and is exclusively operated by Beijing Nantianxing Sports Industry Development Co., Ltd.

It is understood that the competition is divided into42km individual race,21km individual race, and8km mass fitness race categories. The beautiful scenery, fresh air, and attractive prize money drew many top athletes. These included powerhouse runners such as Shen Jialong, Qi Min, Yao Miao, Gao Yongning, and He Fujun. Despite the race being held on a weekday,42km individual race and21km individual race still attracted600participants.

Compared to previous stops of the China Mountain Marathon Series this year, the Xinyang Jigongshan Station has increased in difficulty and upgraded its challenge level.42km individual race course features an accumulated elevation gain of1700meters, of which less than16kilometers are paved roads, with the rest being dirt roads and gravel paths. For example, the nearly4kilometer uphill section near the finish line at Baoxiao Peak Plaza has an accumulated elevation gain of nearly600meters. For athletes who have already run30kilometers, it is akin to rapidly draining the last bit of their endurance and stamina.

Autumn in Jigongshan paints the forests in vibrant hues, creating picturesque scenery—it’s the most beautiful time of the year and the ideal period for hosting a trail running event. The thoughtfully designed three distinct courses allow runners of varying levels to fully experience the area’s unique natural and cultural landscapes, showcasing remarkable craftsmanship. Competing athletes set off from theJigongshan Scenic Area Tourist Distribution Centerand ran uphill along theJigongshan National Mountain Hiking Fitness Trail,enjoying constantly changing scenery. While fully immersing themselves in the joy of mountain marathons and the thrill of sports, they also took in the rugged beauty of Jigongshan, the elegance of Taohuazhai, the magic of Longpao Mountain, and the solemnity of Baoxiao Peak.

In the end, He Fujun from Gansu Province won the overall championship, completing the course in just3hours22minutes14seconds to complete42kilometers, with Li Bo from Chongqing (3hours28minutes25seconds) and Yunnan athlete Shen Jialong (3hours29minutes35seconds) taking second and third place in the42-kilometer individual race, such incredible speed earning gasps of amazement from event staff and media reporters waiting at the finish line.

Yao Miao from Yunnan claimed the women's individual3hours57minutes23seconds, while second and third places went to Lu Yangchun (Yunnan,42-kilometer championship with a time of4hours15minutes35seconds) and Yang Guangmei (Guizhou,4hours24minutes20seconds).

21-kilometer individual race male top three were Wanma (Hebei,1hours33minutes01seconds), Cao Pengfei (Anhui,1hours33minutes05seconds), and Xu Tongshuai (Shandong,1hours35minutes01seconds).

The top three female finishers were Mo Xiaoyan (Sichuan,2hours02minutes50seconds), Yao Yuzhou (Anhui,2hours06minutes57seconds), and Tang Siqin (Hubei,2hours09minutes28seconds).

It is reported that this year the Jiugongshan Management Area has actively implemented the “two zones and one cluster” development strategy to expand its tourism vision,enrich tourism products, and extend the tourism value chain.Relying on the main Jiugongshan Scenic Area, it is fully committed to creating “one park and thirteen scenic spots” and vigorously developing the sports tourism industry. Since the end of2016, Jiugongshan Scenic Area has launched efforts to establish itself as a national5A-level tourist attraction, advancing the upgrade of key infrastructure within the scenic area, improvingroad safety facilities and hiking trails, as well as upgrading road lighting and developing a smart scenic area.Especially with the completion of a number of sports infrastructure projects such as a national-level hiking and fitness trail and a mountain cross-country cycling track, Jiugongshan has successfully hosted various mountain outdoor sports events, mountain bike races, and hiking fitness gatherings.The brand reputation of Jiugongshan’s mountain outdoor sports is growing stronger, attracting an increasing number of tourists and sports enthusiasts to visit and experience the area.

The China Mountain Marathon Series is based on the“Run Towards the Mountains – The Extraordinary Path” philosophy, encouraging running enthusiasts to release themselves, achieve success, and experience the beauty of China’s landscapes and the unique natural and cultural charm of different regions across the country.Jiugongshanboasts abundant natural mountain and water resources with uniquely diverse ecological features,making it highly suitable for hosting mountain outdoor sports.Hostingthe Mountain Marathon Serieshas expanded the influence of Jiugongshan’s outdoor sports brand, established the most beautiful outdoor sports routes in Jiugongshan, accelerated the development of Jiugongshan as an outdoor sports and leisure town, and created opportunities and a platform for boosting the development of sports tourism in Jiugongshan, achieving positive social outcomes.Jiugongshan will take this competition as an opportunity to build its brand for mountain outdoor sports experiences, grounded in competitive and mass sports.