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The North Face® 100 Debut in China - A Big Success
April 27, 2009, Beijing - From dawn at Juyongguan Great Wall till sunset at Ming Tombs Reservoir, The North Face 100 2009 Beijing Changping Endurance Challenge Run was successfully held on April 25th. The North Face , known for its slogan Never Stop Exploring saw the great potential of Chinese endurance runners.
Kaburaki Tsuyoshi, one of the best endurance runners from Japan, was not in the lead group during the first half of the race but chose to run at full strength and led for the entire second half. At 12:40PM, Kaburaki Tsuyoshi reached the finish line to the enthusiastic applause and cheer of spectators and media. Still breathless from running, he greeted all the spectators and media with Thank You in Chinese. Kaburaki Tsuyoshi finished the race in 6:52:20. The Chief Referee and experienced race organizers predicted it would be a miracle to finish the 100km race in 8 hours; therefore, it was stunning that Kaburaki Tsuyoshi finished the race within 7 hours.
Another surprising performance came from 22 year old Yan Yunqiao, a sophomore from North China Electrical Power University who finished second in the 100km. He reached the finish line with the time of 7:15:25. When asked how he felt about the race, he smiled shyly and said, I have run 5 or 6 marathons, but this was my first time running an ultra distance as long as 100km. I like hiking and running in the mountains. When I was running uphill at the 38 km, I felt I had reached the limits of my body. However, I didn t stop. I knew I had the confidence to finish it. Stone Tsang from Hong Kong placed third in the 100km race with a finishing time of 7:42:16.
While elite runners achieved their outstanding goals, many recreational runners received enthusiastic applause from spectators. Female runners comprised 10% of all registered runners for the 100km race. Xing Ruling, a 46 year old female runner from Changping won the race with a time of 8:42:14. She proudly said, My home is 15 km from Juyongguan. When I heard The North Face 100 China would be held in Changping, I immediately registered. I m really glad I made it. It s the longest race I have done in my life and is also in my hometown so I m particularly happy to be the champion! Hiromi Sato from Japan finished at second place with 9:22:57 and Jennifer Benna from the United States came third with 9:40:11.
There were many exciting moments as well as heartwarming moments during the day. In the 100km race, Yao Yanzhao, a 62 year old man from Beijing competed as the oldest runner in the 100km race. From start to finish, he always looked calm and finished 29th with a time of 9:55:48. He said, I like running. I have been running for more than 20 years. I run in summer and winter. It s not a big deal that I m 62 years old. I will keep running. When the last two runners Li Richun and Wu Jiase reached the finish line helping each other, all event staff stopped what they were doing, greeted and encouraged the last two runners to reach the finish line. Addressing reporters, they said, We didn t give up. Finishing is our biggest achievement.
Earlier in the day, runners in the 40km and 10km races had great performances. A runner from Hebei province who ran 10km said, I m 52 years old and don t have much experience with running. I m really excited to finish the 10km run today. Another female runner who finished 10km said, I made a bet with my friend that I would finish it. I have overcome my own limits. I won! After this experience, I believe I can finish a 40km race.
Unlike marathons run on urban roads, ultramarathons are run on dirt roads and mountain paths. Runners could enjoy nature during their run. In the 100km race, 91 runners started the race and 88 runners successfully finished within 14 hours. The Chief Referee Zhang Xiaolong said: The course was moderately difficult. It s really good that the top three finishers completed the race within 8 hours. All the runners did well. I think all the runners are heroes.
During the Award Ceremony, Mr. Bruno Feltracco, Vice President/Managing Director of Outdoor & Action Sports, VF Asia Pacific, parent company of The North Face , title sponsor of this event said, It s our honor to introduce the 100km outdoor endurance race to China for the first time. Today, we see that China s runners are at the top in all 10km, 40km and 100km races. I have to say, there are many outstanding runners in China who are not known.
In the Never Stop Exploring spirit of The North Face, distance is not the ultimate goal. What s important is to enjoy the run and challenge yourself. We are looking forward to having more Chinese endurance running enthusiasts join our events in the future.
Online Coverage:
http://news.out99.com/html/news5465.html
http://news.sports.cn/others/athletics/news/2009-04-26/1783424.html
http://news.xinhuanet.com/sports/2009-04/25/content_11257156.htm
http://news.xinhuanet.com/sports/2009-04/25/content_11254363.htm
http://sports.qq.com/a/20090423/000579.htm
http://www.chinanews.com.cn/ty/kong/news/2009/04-23/1661275.shtml
Quick Facts:
- The North Face 100 China was staged in Beijing with more than 3100 signed up in 10km, 40km and 100km.
- 100 persons signed up for 100km. 91 runners checked in on event day. 88 finished successfully under 14 hours.
- Among the runners were our global team and sponsored athletes: Dean Karnazes, Diane Van Deren, Sam Thompson, Karburaki Tsuyoshi and Stone Tsang
- No major injury
- Male 100km Results:
1. Kaburaki Tsuyoshi (Japan) - 6:52:20
2. Yun Yan-qiao (China) - 7:15:25
3. Stone Tsang (Hong Kong) - 7:42:16
- Female 100km Results:
1. Xing Ru-ling (China) - 8:42:14
2. Hiromi Sato (Japan) - 9:22:57
3. Jennifer Benna (USA) - 9:40:11
- Male 40km Results:
1. Jia Xiao-jing (China) - 2:37:28
2. Noah Zaring (USA) - 2:40:32
3. Ding Zhi-jian (China) - 2:41:01
- Female 40km Results:
1. Sarah Madeleine Edson (USA) - 3:07:35
2. Liu Jun-xian (China) - 3:11:11
3. Molly Fitzpatrick (USA) - 3:21:16
