Hebei.com.cn - Jiyun App (Zhang Ziwei, Reporter; Ji Xinrui, Correspondent) On 7 June, a press conference on the 2024 Hood to Coast China scheduled for 28 June was held in Beijing. The event is co-hosted by the People’s Government of Chongli District of Zhangjiakou City, the People’s Government of Zhangbei County of Zhangjiakou City and Starz International Sports and organised by Starz Sports Running, with the guidance of the Zhangjiakou Municipal Bureau of Sports, the Zhangjiakou Municipal Bureau of Culture, Radio, Television and Tourism.

Group photo of the press conference [Photo courtesy of Zhangjiakou Municipal Bureau of Sports]

Since its inaugural edition in Zhangjiakou in 2017, Hood to Coast China has been held eight times. This year’s Hood to Coast China, with the theme of “Mei Dui Dou Wan Sai”, will follow the format where runners start in batches based on their pace, with five people and one vehicle in a round-robin relay. The route starts from Sainadu Racecourse in Zhangbei County and ends at the National Ski Jumping Centre, passing through the spectacular Grass Skyline Scenic Road. The total running distance is 143.1 kilometres and there is also a 20-kilometre self-driving section with 16 relay points. The race will start at 10:00 p.m. on June 28, with staggered start times for different batches of runners, and the cut-off time for the race is 10 p.m. on 29 June. The entire course will not be fully closed to traffic; instead, traffic control measures will be implemented in segments and at specific times based on actual conditions.

Race route [Photo courtesy of Zhangjiakou Municipal Bureau of Sports]

This year’s Hood to Coast China will add a 10km EX12-EX13 segment, which runs from Qingwuying Village to Yangpo Village. The road on the route is generally flat with a long, gentle downhill, and special signage will be set up along the way. Participants can enjoy the thrill of speed while competing, and there will be a separate ranking for this segment. A dedicated “Climbing Queen” medal will be unveiled for the most challenging EX10-EX11 segment.

In addition, a new event scheduled to take place in Chicheng County in August will be introduced. It will feature a new format allowing three-member teams to complete in a 102km Hood to Coast relay.