On July 5, the "Red Bull 24-Hour Lecture Hall" was held in Kunming, Yunnan. As a pre-event training camp for the Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge, over a hundred outdoor sports enthusiasts from 25 competing teams across the country gathered at the century-old Army Military Academy to receive in-depth, comprehensive, and professional instruction from the legendary outdoor couple Urs Hefti and Irina Hefti. As the only pair in the world to have achieved the "Grand Slam" of top-tier outdoor competitions, the Heftis not only shared their remarkable outdoor experiences on-site but also focused on sharing insights regarding preparation, physical fitness, and technical aspects for the upcoming Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge. On July 6, the Heftis will personally compete as part of the "Red Bull Outdoor Team," joining Chinese athletes Pajula and Batmunkh.
The Heftis answer questions from training camp athletes
The Heftis quickly won over the outdoor enthusiasts with their legendary stories. As competitors in this year's Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge, they also shared their thoughts about the upcoming race. "High altitude is the biggest challenge of this competition. We’ll not only be racing at elevations above 4,000 meters, but the huge vertical drop throughout the course is another major hurdle," said Richard. His wife Irina, after carefully studying the course, added, "Running and cycling at such high altitudes is a severe test for every athlete’s body—the intensity is several times greater than racing at sea level." It is understood that this year's Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge will take place from July 6 to 7, 2013, in the Jiaozi Mountain Scenic Area of Kunming, at altitudes ranging from 1,935 to 4,223 meters. The race includes a 50-kilometer run-bike combination, a 5-kilometer cross-country run, a 25-kilometer orienteering trek over Jiaozi Mountain, as well as technical events like rope descending and zip-lining, and ethnic events like crossbow shooting, with the total distance covering approximately 80 kilometers.
Aside from the physical demands posed by the high altitude, when discussing key factors for the race, Richard repeatedly emphasized the importance of teamwork. "Don’t be shy to ask for help when you need it, and never refuse help from your teammates," said Richard. "Even the best individual is just that—an individual. This is a team sport. You must fully trust every teammate. The team captain, first and foremost, needs to know each member’s technical strengths and weaknesses, and arrange tactics based on individual advantages and disadvantages to maximize everyone’s potential." Irina shared an unforgettable experience—during a trekking race, in order to overtake competitors without revealing their route, she and her teammates turned off their headlamps while crossing snowy terrain. They walked in near-total darkness for nearly 12 hours. "I completely lost my sense of direction. I could only follow my teammates, trust them completely, and help one another," said Irina. "It’s hard to imagine if I’d made it out of that darkness without my teammates." In the end, through mutual encouragement and trust, Irina and her teammates crossed the finish line first.
Additionally, Richard offered advice on energy reserves. "Timely energy replenishment can keep athletes in a high physical state throughout the event," Richard explained. "This is an outdoor race lasting over 12 hours. Based on my experience, I recommend preparing plenty of energy gels and solid foods. During the race, try eating small meals frequently—it helps with calorie intake. Once you reach a mandatory rest zone, eat more protein-rich foods. Also bring some fruits, which can aid in both energy and hydration." The outdoor enthusiasts were thrilled by such specific and practical advice and eagerly asked questions based on their own experiences. The Heftis answered every query in detail, leaving the participants satisfied.
"We’re very pleased to see world-class outdoor athletes like the Heftis come to Kunming to compete, elevating the event to a new level. Moreover, their highly professional and detailed training for Chinese outdoor enthusiasts is a great boost for the development of outdoor sports in China. We hope such activities continue in the long term, bringing Chinese outdoor events and athletes closer to the world’s top level," said Zhang Shi, Vice President of the Kunming Mountaineering and Exploration Association, at the event. As a frequent participant in various top international outdoor events in China, Richard also noted, "In recent years, the level of outdoor events in China has been steadily improving, becoming more professional in terms of event design, race organization, and management. With the rise in event standards, we’re also seeing more high-level athletes. If they stay committed, I believe that within 5–7 years, some of them will secure spots among the world’s elite."
After the "Red Bull 24-Hour Lecture Hall," the Heftis met with their teammates on the "Red Bull Outdoor Team"—Pajula and Batmunkh—to further discuss details of the race. "We’ve met several times before—they left a deep impression on us. Pajula is a biking expert, and Batmunkh excels in running and trekking," said Irina. Her husband Richard also expressed confidence and excitement. "Every member of our team is exceptionally skilled. I believe our physical and technical capabilities are solid. The only thing to focus on is communication during the race. Right now, we need to develop a set of hand signals as quickly as possible for efficient communication." Batmunkh, who was part of last year’s winning team at the Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge, said, "I’m happy to team up with the Heftis. With their strong presence, I believe our Red Bull team has what it takes to win the championship." Compared to the international elite events the Heftis usually compete in, the Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge is mainly for amateur domestic outdoor enthusiasts, but the fun and engaging elements still excited them. Upon hearing that athletes would need to cook their own meals using ingredients provided by the organizers, Richard became visibly enthusiastic. He looked forward to cooking with ingredients like beef, potatoes, and wild vegetables, playfully suggesting to his wife, "Why don’t we have a cooking competition?"
It is understood that the Red Bull 24-Hour Plateau Challenge is hosted by the Kunming Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Sports, the Kunming Tourism Bureau, the Kunming Foreign Affairs and Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, the Jiaozi Mountain National Nature Reserve Administration, and the Administrative Committee of the Jiaozi Mountain Tourism Development Zone in Tangdian Industrial Park, Kunming. It is organized by the Kunming Sports Federation, the Kunming Mountaineering and Exploration Association, and the Jiaozi Mountain Tourism Development Co., Ltd., among others, with title sponsorship by Red Bull Vitamin Drink Co., Ltd. As the only non-stop outdoor event in China that runs day and night, the Red Bull 24-Hour series has launched both a coastal edition in Shenzhen and a plateau edition in Kunming. Its main features include being set in a natural environment, operating non-stop around the clock, and combining multiple sports disciplines. The race offers moderate difficulty and intensity, blending competitiveness with accessibility, making it suitable for all types of outdoor enthusiasts.