The BMW Hood to Coast Hainan China relay is a hugely popular event with the Chinese running community thanks to the stunning scenery along the course on the southern island. [Photo for China Daily]
Annual endurance event transcends sports
True to the race's slogan this year, the BMW Hood to Coast Hainan China Relay is now "More Than Running".
The annual event is no longer simply an endurance test for hardcore long-distance running enthusiasts but rather a sporting feast with a festival atmosphere. An increasingly wide of range of runners enjoy the event's unique appeal thanks to its emphasis on team spirit and the natural beauty of the course.
This year's Hood to Coast Hainan China relay began at midnight on Dec 2 at picturesque Tonggu Mountain in Wenchang, Hainan province.
Teams of five runners and one car were challenged to complete the 138.6-kilometer course within 22 hours, with the finish line at Sheraton Shenzhou Peninsula Resort next to the coast in the city of Wanning.
The course was divided into 15 sections. One team member was required to complete each section while the others traveled by car and interchanged at the end of every leg.
The sights and scenery lifted the spirits of runners as they took on the grueling challenge — from a starry night on the mountain and refreshing breezes in the coconut forest, to a number of famous attractions along the course, including Wenchang Spaceflight Science Center.
The Hood to Coast China relay attracts runners of all age groups, with the event's unique emphasis on team spirit helping to create a warm and friendly atmosphere. [Photo for China Daily]
"We are a marathon club from Qingdao (Shandong province), and this is the first time we've participated in the relay in Hainan. I have to say that we are all impressed by the running environment and the quality of services provided by the race," said Ma Meng, the team leader of the SRUN team, which won the relay in a time of 7 hours 34 minutes and 22 seconds.
"To prepare for the relay, we arrived days before the start of the event. It was a little bit hot during the preparations, but the race-day weather was really cool which helped us produce such a great result.
"The relay is a team event, so based on the different abilities of our members, we made preparations for each section. We were very consistent. Finally, I want to express my thanks to the organizers who provided us with such a great event."
The local Wenchang Tianhe running group also debuted in the event and relished the experience, having waited for the chance to participate in the relay.
The Hood to Coast China relay has earned a reputation for being an exceptionally well-organized event, with comprehensive medical facilities and staff on standby to assist runners. This month's relay in Hainan, for instance, featured a 60-person first-responding team and more than 300 volunteers positioned along the course. [Photo for China Daily]
"We were all very excited to finally join in. Such a race format is a very new experience for us. For five members of the team, this will become a very valuable experience for many years," said Wenchang Tianhe runner Chen Lei.
"I was the first runner of our team to start the challenge, so I was actually under pressure. But I felt the power of the teamwork, as I knew there were four teammates waiting for me at the next interchange point. So that encouraged me to try harder. When I reached the interchange point, I was proud of myself."
The Hood to Coast relay has been staged in Hainan for four consecutive years, and has built up a loyal following of regulars.
"We have participated in the Hainan relay four times already. Each year my team gathers together in Hainan from across the country for the event, which is now an annual party for us," said Xie Chenxiao, who has also participated in the Hood to Coast China relay in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province.
"The Hainan relay is actually very pleasant in terms of temperature and humidity. We also run through many great natural landscapes and idyllic towns of the island. This is also a great cultural experience for us. And of course we can enjoy many local snacks."
The high praise from the runners is testament to the comprehensive work of organizers. As the course of this year's Hainan relay passed through the cities of Wenchang, Qionghai and Wanning, the local governments provided runners with medical workers, AEDs and enough ambulances in case of any emergencies at all interchange points. There was also a 60-person first-responding team and more than 300 volunteers positioned along the course.
The Hood to Coast China relay has earned a reputation for being an exceptionally well-organized event, with comprehensive medical facilities and staff on standby to assist runners. This month's relay in Hainan, for instance, featured a 60-person first-responding team and more than 300 volunteers positioned along the course. [Photo for China Daily]
"Due to the pandemic, it's really not easy for all the runners, organizers and volunteers to gather here for the events. This is a memorable experience for all of us," said Liu Hui, who has served as a volunteer at the event for several years.
This month's relay was the second Hood to Coast staged in China this year following an August relay in Zhangjiakou, where 2,500 runners from 500 teams took on a 145.6-km course from the grasslands of Senado Field to the mountainous terrain of Wanlong Paradise Resort.
The series debuted in China at Zhangjiakou in 2017, while the race first visited Hainan in 2019. The original Hood to Coast, founded in 1982, takes place in the US state of Oregon every August. The race is now established as a firm favorite for runners of all levels and backgrounds in China.
Local governments are hugely supportive of the relay as it helps boost the local economy and tourism, and promotes sports participation.
"The BMW Hood to Coast has developed a great reputation over the past four years in Hainan, and each edition attracts the attention of the Chinese running community. The continuous success of the event helps the growth of the national fitness campaign in Hainan. It also boosts the sports tourism sector in the province," said Yang Xinli, the deputy director of the tourism, culture, radio and television bureau of Hainan province.
