From April 25 to 28, the 5th China Baise Leye International Mountain Outdoor Sports Challenge and the 20th Asian Rock Climbing Championships China Leye 2012 were held in Leye County, Baise City, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. This event was approved by the General Administration of Sport of China and organized by the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the People's Government of Baise City, the Sports Bureau of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, and the Tourism Bureau of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
Athletes from 20 of the world’s top teams hailing from countries and regions including Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, Russia, New Zealand, Finland, Australia, Germany, France, as well as Singapore and Hong Kong, China, will compete in the International Mountain Outdoor Sports Challenge. The challenge includes events such as cross-country running, mountain biking, run-bike-run, rock wall descending, canoeing, rafting, orienteering, and mountain skills.
At the same time, the 20th Asian Rock Climbing Championships will also take place. As an artificial climbing wall competition, it features four major categories and seven sub-events, including men's and women's difficulty, speed, bouldering, and mixed speed relay. With over 100 athletes participating—all registered with the International Federation of Sport Climbing—they represent the highest level and best competitive state of rock climbing in their respective countries or regions. These athletes will perform stunning “rock ballet” at the Leye Climbing Plaza.
Zhang Zhijian, Director of the Outdoor Sports Department of the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, revealed to reporters that this year’s event will showcase three major characteristics: First, it has the largest scale—both competitions are international events, making this the edition with the most teams and greatest public interest in the history of the International Mountain Outdoor Sports Challenge and Climbing Championships, as well as the highest number of participants from both China and abroad. Second, additional events and competition time have been added in Leye County, making it more entertaining and enjoyable for local residents. Third, although the race route is shorter, the difficulty level is higher.
Gao Jinping, Deputy Chief Judge of this year’s International Mountain Outdoor Sports Challenge, explained that to enhance the spectator appeal and difficulty of the race, there have been significant changes in the route and event setup compared to the previous four editions. On the morning of April 26, after the opening ceremony, the race will start from Luomei Cave, circle around Leye County, passing through the town’s streets and alleys. Along the way, a four-person plank shoe racing performance will be held at the Cultural Square, with escape walls set up on Tianle Road and at the Golden Resources International Hotel, and fun activities such as back-basket carrying performances between Tianle Road and Sanle Road. This means spectators can enjoy thrilling athlete performances from almost any part of Leye, making it easier for the public to watch while also boosting the competition atmosphere. In addition, although this year’s race distance has been shortened from the original 206 kilometers to 178 kilometers, many sections feature rugged mountain roads and rarely traveled paths, with only narrow trails leading to valleys on slopes of 50 to 60 degrees—walking is difficult enough, let alone cycling, earning these sections the title of “devilish” stages.
At that time, all outdoor athletes will form a striking contrast with Leye County’s tiankengs (sinkholes) and ground fissures, presenting a moving picture of harmony between humans and nature.
(Baise, April 25 — Source: China Sports Daily Online)