BEIJING, Sept. 11,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- From September 7 to September 8, 2024, the "2024
Challenge Beijing" concluded successfully in the
picturesque Yanqing District of Beijing. This two-day event attracted over
1,100 athletes from 20 countries and regions, who gathered at the
Beijing Shiyuan International Tourism Resort to experience the
thrill of competition amidst stunning natural landscapes, while
also appreciating the rich cultural charm of Yanqing.
Notable attendees included representatives from the China
Triathlon Sports Association (CTSA), the Yanqing District's
government, Beijing Shi Yuan Investment Development Co., Ltd.,
Challenge Family, and Druid Sports, who witnessed the successful
debut of this event in Yanqing.
Crafting an Unforgettable Experience, Showcasing the Thrill
of Competition
Under the theme "Burning Passion, Infinite Breakthroughs", the
2024 Challenge Beijing aimed to provide athletes of all ages and
abilities with a high-quality competitive experience, while also
creating an unforgettable spectacle for sports enthusiasts.
Recognized as an A+ level event by the China Triathlon Sports
Association, the competition featured both Olympic Distance and
Sprint Distance age group races, drawing over 1,100
participants from 20 countries and regions. The event boasted a
strong lineup of 12 international professional athletes, including
Kyle Smith, Paula Findlay, Frederic
Funk, and Lucy Byram,
delivering a world-class showcase of endurance and athleticism.
The race venue, Beijing Shiyuan International Tourism Resort, is
ideally located in the southwest of Yanqing District, with the Gui
River flowing through and the Haituo Mountains as a backdrop,
offering stunning lake and mountain views and iconic structures and
scenic spots within the park, allowing athletes to experience the
harmonious blend of nature and horticulture while competing.
On September 7, the Sprint
Distance age group race, spanning 27.75 kilometers, saw
participants unleash their energy amidst the scenic beauty of
Shiyuan, challenging themselves and fully embracing the pure joy
and exhilaration of competition.
The highly anticipated Olympic Distance professional and age
group races took place on September
8, with a strong lineup of elite athletes adding suspense
and excitement to the competition. The atmosphere at the venue was
charged with intense competitive spirit and the passion of pushing
limits. After a thrilling 53.5-kilometer race, the men's
professional title was claimed by Kyle
Smith with an impressive time of 1:47:00. The runner-up,
Marc Dubrick, closely followed with a time of 1:47:08. Third
place went to Henri Schoeman,
finishing in 1:47:23, showcasing outstanding performance. The
fourth to sixth places were taken by Frederic Funk (1:47:58), Aaron Royle (1:48:05), and Tyler Mislawchuk (1:50:49), respectively. The
women's professional race was equally captivating, with
Paula Findlay taking the crown in
1:57:36. The runner-up was Lucy
Byram, finishing in 1:57:56, while Julie Derron secured third place with a time of
1:58:28. The fourth to sixth places went to Ellie Salthouse (1:59:57), Sian Rainsley (2:01:20), and Amelia Watkinson (2:03:38), respectively,
further demonstrating the world-class caliber of the event.
It is worth noting that the top three Olympic Distance athletes
in each age group for men and women will qualify for the 2025
Challenge "The Championship" Samorin, May
16-18, 2025, in Samorin, Slovakia.
Held over the weekend, the two-day event further ignited the
enthusiasm of Yanqing, a city known for its passion for sports.
Many triathlon enthusiasts, tourists, and locals gathered along the
course to witness the excitement and energy of the event. Beyond
the thrilling competition, the event also created a vibrant sports
carnival at the event center, featuring merchants offering sports
gear, accessories, food, and beverages. This rich array of
offerings created a dynamic sports consumption ecosystem, blending
outdoor sports with a new economy of sports consumption, delivering
an unforgettable all-around event experience.
Unleashing Event Vitality, Showcasing Yanqing's Three
"Gold-lettered Signboards"
Located in the northwest of Beijing, Yanqing District is renowned for its
unique geographical location and abundant tourism resources. The
Great Wall, the Beijing Shiyuan International Tourism Resort, and
the Winter Olympics are known as Yanqing's three "Gold-lettered
Signboards." In the field of sports, Yanqing District boasts
superior resources and a strong foundation in outdoor activities.
With its rich resources and ecological advantages, Yanqing has laid
a solid foundation for developing outdoor sports, leisure wellness,
and high-end events. As one of the three major zones of the
Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and
Paralympics, Yanqing has continuously hosted international high-end
events, enriched its premium tourism offerings. In the post-Winter
Olympics era, it has transformed its ecological advantages into
development engines, vigorously promoting the integration of sports
with culture and tourism.
The 2024 Challenge Beijing represents another significant effort
by Yanqing District to drive the integrated development of sports,
culture, and tourism across the district through sports events.
Embracing the concept of "Travelling with Events," the 2024
Challenge Beijing showcased Yanqing District's beautiful natural
landscapes, rich cultural heritage, superior sports foundation, and
strong event organization capabilities to the world. By linking
various consumption chains such as scenic spots, dining,
accommodation, and shopping through the event, Yanqing has further
developed a vibrant ecosystem that integrates sports, culture, and
tourism, allowing more visitors to witness the exciting event while
enjoying a unique travel experience in beautiful Yanqing.
The 2024 Challenge Beijing is not only a benchmark sports
competition but also a vivid example of promoting the integration
of sports, culture, tourism, agriculture, and commerce, showcasing
Yanqing District's international vision and innovative spirit.
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SOURCE 2024 Challenge Beijing