Sichuan runner Wang Daqing completes the "Gobi March"
When it comes to running, the 42.195-kilometer marathon was once widely regarded as the ultimate distance. But in recent years, ultra-long-distance trail running has become a trend, with more people aiming to complete 100km or even longer races. Wang Daqing, a nearly 40-year-old runner from Sichuan, quit his job this year and spent a fortune to take on a grueling seven-day, 250-kilometer "Death Marathon" across the vast Gobi Desert in Xinjiang, overcoming injuries and freezing temperatures.
Wang Daqing, a 39-year-old from Nanchong, was formerly an art sales manager and a recreational runner. He started running in 2008, completing 15 marathons with a personal best of 3 hours and 26 minutes, and eight 100km trail runs. Just last year, he ran a total of 2,450 kilometers. But this year, he suddenly decided to quit his job and travel to the desolate Gobi Desert in Xinjiang to take on a 250-kilometer "Death Marathon." "The entry fee is $3,500 (about 22,000 RMB), and there are 32 mandatory items. Missing or failing to meet any requirement disqualifies you—you either follow the rules or book a flight home," Wang told reporters. Before being allowed to compete, participants must also provide a health certificate from their private doctor and sign a waiver. "The expensive entry fee even covers corpse repatriation costs."
Each participant is required to prepare all their own food, clothing, sleeping bags, and other essentials for the seven days. "Don’t waste energy complaining about the food, the uncomfortable sleep, or the weather—because you have to deal with it all yourself," said Wang. To promote environmental protection, the organizers even provide ten black plastic bags for runners to carry their own waste.
With strict rules, unpredictable terrain, and harsh high-altitude Gobi conditions, despite having completed eight 100km trail races before, Wang still felt anxious about the Gobi March. "If I don’t do it this time, I probably never will. There’s no turning back now—I’d better start preparing seriously." After sorting out funding and gear, Wang and three other trail running enthusiasts formed the "Kung Fu Panda Team" and officially started the race on Children’s Day this year.
On the first day of the race, Wang quickly learned how tough it would be. "40km with a 1,000-meter elevation gain, taking 11 hours. Two foreign participants dropped out due to health issues." On day two, his teammate "Big Grey Wolf" had been suffering from diarrhea and severe dehydration before the race, and withdrew on medical advice. On day three, another 40km with 900 meters of climbing took 10 hours, and three participants dropped out due to injuries.
After three days of arduous trekking, Wang developed two large blisters on his feet. "Every step felt like agony, and I wanted to just stab them to relieve the pain." On day five, with 75km and severe wind and rain, Wang said, "Although we stretched every day at camp and slept with our backpacks under our feet to elevate them, the accumulated fatigue plus not bringing warm long pants caused inflammation in my right iliotibial band. The pain was so intense I could’ve cried." Wang had to stop every 20 minutes to spray medication.
Overwhelmed by the pain, Wang had to take painkillers, and thoughts of quitting kept creeping in. "In the first four days, someone dropped out every day, but surprisingly, no one quit during the toughest 75km leg. Was I going to be the first today?" Fortunately, due to snow that obscured trail markers, the organizers decided to cancel the remaining course for safety reasons. Participants were told to wait for rescue vehicles or keep moving until help arrived. Wang did not quit.
On day six, a rest day, all participants ran 10km around Sayram Lake. "After dropping the 10kg+ backpack, I instantly felt much lighter." In the cold wind by the lake, Wang boldly took off his shirt and sprinted wildly along the highland lakeshore. "Laozi’s saying ‘Heaven and earth exist with me together, and all things are one with me’—that’s probably what this feels like."
Day seven was only 14km. "After a day of rest, everyone in camp was eager to finish the final stretch. But I found myself reluctant to let go of the journey coming to an end. On the grassy banks of Sayram Lake, I took photos to commemorate the last leg of the 250km race." The result surprised Wang—the "Kung Fu Panda Team" achieved third place in the team standings.
Currently, Wang is in Beijing and even ran a 40km trail race in Mentougou on August 18. On September 8, he will compete in the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc’s Italian counterpart, the Tor des Géants, in the Aosta Valley. "The Tor des Géants is one of the world’s top endurance trail events, with 550 participants annually who must cross five major Alpine mountain ranges over 332km in under 150 hours, with a total elevation gain of 24,000 meters." If he finishes successfully, Wang will become the first person from Sichuan to conquer the "Giants."
Will Wang stop "challenging himself" after this race? The answer is no. His ultimate goal is to "complete 100 ultra-marathons." As the founder of the "Run for Love" charity initiative, he shared that he aims to raise funds for the Colorful Fund through relentless running, helping disabled children receive art education sponsorships.
The "Gobi March" is part of the elite international outdoor competition series known as the "Four Deserts." The "Four Deserts" events are famed for requiring participants to trek across some of the world’s most treacherous deserts, with each edition set in locations known for the strongest winds, driest climates, hottest or coldest temperatures on Earth.
Each year, 400 participants from 40 countries and regions—including the United States and Australia—spend about a week hiking the full 250km course. During that week, competitors are given only a limited daily ration of water and a camping tent, and must carry all their own food and equipment while traversing mountains, hills, Gobi flats, high peaks, and sandy grasslands.