After two months of recruitment and selection, Beijing-based Wang Zichen (Let Zichen Fly for a While), Gao Qing (Jamesgaoqing), Yang Jianguo (A Liang), and Dalian-based Yu Lei (DL Torpedo) will represent the Tecnica Trail Running Team (Tecnica China Trail Running Team) in this September’s prestigious 330-kilometer trail running event in Italy — the Tor des Géants. This marks the first time Chinese athletes have participated in the “Tor des Géants,” opening an entirely new chapter in the race’s storied history.
Tecnica China Trail Running Team member Yang Jianguo (A Liang)
The Tecnica Trail Running Team (Tecnica China Trail Running Team) was established in 2010, sponsored by TECNICA, ISPO BEIJING, ACOME, and the Banff Mountain Film Festival. Its mission is to vigorously promote trail running in China and encourage 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 area — a terrain dominated by mountains, making it a paradise for nature, skiing, trekking, and mountaineering lovers. The four highest peaks in Italy — Mont Blanc (4,807m), Monte Rosa (4,637m), Cervino (Monte Cervino, 4,478m), and Gran Paradiso (4,061m) — all lie along the route of the Tor des Géants. As one of the world’s top trail running events, 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 has a 150-hour cutoff time. Only 550 spots are available globally. Within just minutes of registration opening this year, top endurance runners from around the world snapped up all 550 slots, leaving over 2,000 applicants still on the waiting list. In the previous two editions, no Chinese athletes took part. This year, Tecnica has specially secured four “wild cards,” allowing four Chinese “giants” to set off on their own “Tor des Géants” adventure.