Endurance addicts stoked as Hood to Coast relay returns in challenging times

Six or seven months ago, the idea of taking on the 2020 BMW Hood to Coast China Relay was probably not something most of the runners in this year's race had considered possible.

So when the hardy souls assembled at the start line once again last weekend, they resolved to push themselves to their limits in a celebration of the return of sports to their lives.

In a resounding affirmation of organizers' efforts to overcome difficulties presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, over 2,000 runners participated in this year's challenge, traversing tough mountain terrain and bucolic grasslands around Zhangjiakou, the city in Hebei province that will co-host the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

A total of 374 five-member, one-car teams were challenged to finish a 147-kilometer regular course within 21 hours, while 35 ten-member, two-car teams took on a 234.3-km course.

The tracks were divided into 16 and 29 sections respectively, with one team member required to complete each section while the other traveled by car and interchanged at the end of every leg.

The longer relay started at Daqing Mountain, while the regular group began at the picturesque grasslands of Senado Field. The finish line for both groups was located at Wanlong Paradise Resort, where a grand party awaited the runners.

Mario Alonso Herrero, a Spanish pianist who lives in Shanghai, has participated in the Hood to Coast China Relay in Zhangjiakou for the last three years. Last weekend's race felt particularly special considering the COVID-19 pandemic had halted sports across the globe for much of the year.

"I have been looking forward to this year's edition, and I'm thrilled the race could return," said Alonso.

"The relay this year was delayed until August. But I'm happy enough as long as we could run. I want to thank the organizer and the volunteers. They had much bigger pressure than the runners.

"The relay is challenging and it requires good team work to finish. But the views along the course are great. And if possible, I'd like to join each year."

The 2020 edition had originally been scheduled for June, however a brief resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Beijing scuppered that plan. According to Li Lu, the general manager of event organizer Starz Sports Running Culture, serious consideration was given to canceling this year's event because of the epidemic.

"We thought about organizing an online running event," explained Li. "We never thought we just need to completely cancel this year's race. If we have to cancel it, we need to come up with alternatives. And as long as there's a tiny possibility, we will work hard to bring back this year's event."

That tiny possibility became a reality last weekend thanks to China's success in controlling the epidemic and the efforts of organizers and local authorities.

To ensure the safety of all participants, a total of 22 ambulances, 28 automated external defibrillators, 70 doctors, 465 volunteers and 500 police officers were positioned along the course.

"We were so proud and happy as we crossed the finish line," said Alonso, who has run over 10 marathons in the past two years. "This was a tough race. And because of uncertainties brought about by the epidemic, we had to change several teammates. We'd stayed too long in the big city, so it felt so great to run in such a beautiful place."

Alonso told China Daily that, as well as keeping him physically fit, running helps maintain his discipline－an important attribute for a pianist who needs to practice four to six hours a day.

Another repeat participant was China's retired Olympic race-walk champion Wang Liping, who won 20km gold at the 2000 Sydney Games.

"During the epidemic, as a running lover, I looked forward to this race. The return of this relay and other marathons and long-distance events is a great boost for the running community," said Wang.

"I kept exercising during the epidemic. And during this special time, I thought more about our health and how to exercise in the future.

"In terms of the quality of the race, we could see the organizers' attention to detail. So that helped us feel good on the course."