The online registration form for the 8th Genghis Khan MTB Adventure and Grassland Marathon running between 4 and 6 July 2014 has now been opened. In addition to the classic races there will again be a separate King of the Grasslands competition and also a brand new Prologue or short individual MTB time trial on Friday morning! You can secure your entry by clicking on the ‘registration‘ tab of this website.
The MTB Prologue will be held on Friday morning at Nadamu Arena, will measure approx. 5 kilometres and – important – will NOT count for the overall classification of the Genghis Khan MTB Adventure. It is a great way to stretch the legs after the long travel to Xiwuqi on a lap that is scheduled to remain unchanged for years to come. Who will score the first lap record? Please note that the prologue will be restricted to 150 participants and is open for everyone. There will be prizes and a podium ceremony as well.
Another novelty in 2014, and this upon great demand, is a children’s race immediately following the prologue time trial on Friday morning. The race will take place on the same short course around Nadamu and is open to youngsters under 14 years old.
The MTB stage race will take off on Friday afternoon, as usual after the official Opening Ceremony. The courses of the three stages are expected to remain largely unmodified and total at least 200km for long distance riders, but new sections are likely to be introduced during our Technical Mission after the winter period. More info on the courses can be found under the ‘MTB’ section of this website.
Runners will demand all the attention once again on Saturday morning during the 7th Grassland Marathon, Half Marathon and short run. In the last two years the stunningly beautiful offroad marathon has become a key running event in China, proven by the ever increasing number of participants who come to Xiwuqi to run on a tough but truly unique course.
The real strongmen and women can again combine the three days of long distance mountainbiking with the full 42.5k marathon, and compete for the title of ‘King of the Grasslands’. The first official edition got very positive responses so a tradition has been set! Wang Lidong from Heilongjiang province and Tianjin’s Dong Lili are the defending King and Queen of the Grasslands next year.
The town of Xiwuqi keeps growing along with the Genghis Khan Festival, but it remains far from a big city. We therefore recommend not to wait until the last moment to find accomodation and transport to this still rather remote part of Inner Mongolia in northern China. In fact, have a look at the Travel section of the website. Nordic Ways offers a wide range of services and hotel options that can make your journey easy. Questions about registration can always be addressed to either registration@nordicways.com or info@nordicways.com .
We are very happy and grateful that preliminary agreements for continued support in 2014 have already been struck with our major international sponsors Chain Reaction Cycles, Enervit, WTB and BV Sport. The Genghis Khan Festival will also extend it cooperation with Operation Smile as the official charity partner of the event. Everybody is highly encouraged to run or ride for a good cause and help bring a life changing smile on a child’s face by a small donation.
