About 3,000 athletes attend the 2024 Spartan Race Moganshan at the Moganshan International Tourist Resort in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, last weekend. [Photo/chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2024 Spartan Race Moganshan drew over 3,000 athletes to the Moganshan International Tourist Resort in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, last weekend, where competitors took on challenging obstacles and terrain.

The competition was divided into two events: a 6.6-kilometer Sprint with 23 obstacles, and a 22.5-kilometer Beast course with 34 obstacles. David Liu and Xu Fuli emerged as champions in the men's and women's divisions in the Beast race.

Participants in the Sprint navigated a scenic, forested course that made the most of the Spartan Race's signature thrills, while the Beast capitalized on Moganshan's rugged, mountainous landscape. With over 1,000 meters of elevation gain, the Beast was made even more demanding this year due to heavy rain in the days leading up to the event, raising the bar for all competitors.

"This is our first Spartan race in Moganshan. Its exceptional mountain terrain, well-developed event infrastructure, and outdoor sports heritage were significant factors in our decision to host the event here. We aim for participants to experience more than just a competition; we want them to enjoy a full weekend of outdoor adventure. Moganshan is also a very popular destination for participants from Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, and Shanghai," said Zhang Haoyang, the event director.

Notably, over 70 percent of the competitors came from one of these three places.

Wheelchair athlete Zhang Qihui stood out for her optimism and determination. "Today, I felt a new energy — the indomitable Spartan spirit," she said excitedly after the race. At the age of 29, Zhang lost both her legs in an accident, but she continues to pursue experiences and activities like paragliding, surfing, and rock climbing.

During the race, she completed the full 6.6 kilometers, using her arms to conquer the 23 obstacles in an impressive time of 3 hours, 13 minutes, and 57 seconds, to the cheers and support of the crowd.

"We all face the unknown and obstacles. You might hesitate and feel anxious, but you cannot be afraid. The challenges in our hearts are the ones we must confront and overcome," Zhang reflected.

This weekend, the Spartan Kids Race will debut at Moganshan and is expected to attract some 2,000 families eager to experience the fusion of nature and challenge on the mountainous course. This season, both the adult and children's versions of the races will continue in cities like Shenzhen and Huizhou in Guangdong province.