On September 4, 2012, at 7:30 PM, a grand send-off party for the TNF "Tor des Géants" was held at Motta Coffee in Beijing’s Jianwai SOHO.
After two months of recruitment and selection, participants from Beijing—Zichencheng (Let Zichencheng Fly for a While), Gaoqing (Jamesgaoqing), and Yang Jianguo (A Liang)—along with Yu Lei (DL Torpedo) from Dalian will represent the Tecnica Trail Running Team (TTT—China’s TNF Ultra-Trail Team) in this year’s 330-kilometer iconic ultra-trail race, the Tor des Géants, to be held in Italy in September. This marks the first time Chinese athletes will compete in the "Tor des Géants," opening a brand-new chapter in the history of the event.
A reporter from GreenLight Outdoor Network had the privilege of interviewing Yang Jianguo (A Liang), one of China’s "Tor des Géants" team members, conducting a friendly and in-depth exclusive interview.
GreenLight Outdoor Network (hereinafter referred to as GreenLight): How do you manage energy and pace during an ultra-trail run?
Yang Jianguo (hereinafter referred to as A Liang): It primarily depends on the distance. Different ultra-trail lengths require different energy distributions. The key is to distribute your energy evenly during the run because it involves carrying gear and replenishing supplies. Avoid going too fast at the beginning, or you’ll become extremely fatigued later, with lactic acid building up quickly, slowing you down and reducing muscle endurance, making injuries more likely. So, it’s important to maintain a consistent pace based on the race distance and elevation.
GreenLight: How do you protect your knees during an ultra-trail run, especially when descending?
A Liang: Ultra-trail running is a long-duration activity. Start off slowly and don’t overexert yourself. Once your body is warmed up and loose, you can gradually increase your speed. Regular training is also essential—you can start with jogging to strengthen your knees, and you can also do more wall sits in daily life.
GreenLight: Have you seen the course for the Italian "Tor des Géants"? Is it wild? Do you feel confident?
A Liang: I’ve seen the course. This year’s Italian "Tor des Géants" covers 330 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 24,000 meters—equivalent to three times the height of Mount Everest, including sections at 4,000 meters altitude—and the weather can be harsh, with rain and snow. It’s truly wild and very challenging.
But it’s precisely because of such a course that we want to take on the challenge and conquer it. Overcoming various obstacles to get selected and train, and having the opportunity from TNF to participate in this race—it’s something we’re very grateful for. We’d also like to thank TNF and Vivick for sponsoring our trail running gear.
GreenLight: Have you ever run 330 kilometers before?
A Liang: No. Our training focuses on calculating time, intensity, and distance for each session. Our goal this time is for the four of us to work together to complete this journey, because this is the first time Chinese athletes are participating in the Tor des Géants ultra-trail race, marking a milestone in the history of Chinese trail running.
GreenLight: Do you have any advice for ordinary enthusiasts who want to start trail running?
A Liang: You should regularly train your legs—for example, jogging, stair climbing, wall sits, and frog jumps—to build leg strength. When your leg muscles are strong, you’ll naturally be less prone to injury.
Most importantly, don’t push yourself to extreme fatigue. Any form of exercise should be done in moderation. Beginners should start gradually to avoid developing a fear of trail running.
The Tecnica Trail Running Team (TTT—China’s TNF Ultra-Trail Team) was established in 2010, sponsored by TECNICA, ISPO BEIJING, ACOME, and the Banff Mountain Film Festival, with the goal of vigorously promoting trail running in China and encouraging more outdoor enthusiasts to join the sport.
The "Tor des Géants" takes place in the mountainous region of northern Italy near France’s Rhône-Alpes, an area entirely made up of mountains and a paradise for nature, skiing, trekking, and mountaineering enthusiasts. The four highest peaks in Italy—Mont Blanc (4,807m), Monte Rosa (4,637m), Cervino (4,478m), and Gran Paradiso (4,061m)—all lie near the "Tor des Géants" course.
As one of the world’s top ultra-trail races, the "Tor des Géants" is hosting its third edition this year. The course spans 330 kilometers with a total elevation gain of 24,000 meters, crossing 25 mountain passes and finishing within 150 hours. There are only 550 global slots available. In the previous two editions, no Chinese participants took part. This year, TNF has specially secured four "wild cards," and four Chinese "giants" are about to embark on their "Tor des Géants" journey.
Go, China’s giants, go！