Please contact Nordic Ways for more information or to register for the event. They can provide all the details on participation, accommodation options and travel assistance.
More than Just Lines on a Map: Best Practices for U.S Bike Routes
Genghis Khan MTB Adventure & Grassland Marathon
1. 5-7 July 2013 Xiwuqi
6 July 2013 Inner Mongolia,
China
2. What is the Genghis Khan Festival?
Options Grassland Marathon
XC Running
3-day 42.2km/21.5km/10km
Mountainbike Adventure
202km/86km in total
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3. History of Genghis Khan in Xiwuqi
As the most powerful conqueror of the ancient human world, many legends on Genghis Khan are still
passed on today. One of them goes like this: When Genghis Khan crossed the Gobi Desert, he lost
two of his best and most beloved horses. The emperor was so furious he destroyed all settlements he
came across, desperately looking for his horses. When he came across the grasslands of
Wuzhumuqin and climbed a small hill to overlook the valley he found his two horses grazing near the
river Qiduer. Genghis Khan was so relieved he renamed the hill he was standing on after his horses;
Siriguleng and Halagatu. This famous hill, 25 km away from Xiwuqi, host town of the Genghis Khan
Festival, is the place to overlook the beautiful valley with over 100 sq km of untouched prime
grassland.
3
4. Key facts
2013 event will be held between
5 and 7 July 2013
Main organiser is the government of West
Wuzhumuqin, Xilingol County. Event manager is
Nordic Ways International
The Genghis Khan Festival is traditionally held in
and around Xiwuqi town, including the first Sunday
of every July.
It features a three-day MTB competition along
with a marathon and half marathon run through the
grasslands. Open to all.
An open air bonfire party in a Mongolian tent
camp
The 2012 event enjoyed a boom in participant
registration and confirmed its status as a leading
cult event on the Asian calendar.
The Genghis Khan Festival is extensively pre-
and reviewed via domestic and international media
channels
5.
6. 7th MTB Genghis Khan MTB Adventure
The original event. In 2013 mountainbikers will undertake already their seventh grassland adventure
spread out over three challenging yet feasible days. In total, just over 200 km will be covered, taking in
jaw-dropping scenery along the way. Beginners can opt for a shorter distance each day.
An event that embodies traditional culture, sports, environmental protection and eco travel. Offroad
cycling is a green sport carrying a positive connotation in China and which as a result receives high
support from the government
Participants come from everywhere: China, Australia, USA,
Germany, Denmark, Malaysia, Singapore, Sweden, Norway,
Mongolia, Canada, Britain, France, Italy etc., altogether over 30
countries each year.
Many media report on the event: 10 domestic TV stations, over 20
newspapers and magazines, live reports on event website, social
network pages and specialised internet fora.
7. Past winners of the Genghis Khan MTB Adventure
MEN W OMEN
2007 – Martin Breuvart (FRA) 2007 – Liu Ting (CHN)
2008 – Martin Breuvart (FRA) 2008 – Lv Tao Tao (CHN)
2009 – Wang Lei (CHN) 2009 – Lv Tao Tao (CHN)
2010 - Wang Lei (CHN) 2010 – Cheng Shasha (CHN)
2011 – Feng Kuan Gao (CHN) 2011 – Bitbit Baby Marites (PHI)
2012 – Altanzul Altansuckh (MGL) 2012 - Solongo Tsernlham (MGL)
8. 6th Grassland Extreme Marathon
The Grassland “Extreme” Marathon will be held for the 6 th time in 2013 and is unique in its setting on
small sand and dirt trails across the remote grassland plains around Xiwuqi.
The running challenge invites runners of all ages and levels of fitness, from elite to amateur, to take
part. Nordic Ways is happy to assist international runners with their trip to Xiwuqi. In 2012, the unique
charm of this out-of-the-ordinary marathon attracted more than 400 participants coming from 30 countries
and regions.
Grassland Marathon offers three distances: 42.2km,
21.5km and 10km. The start and finish is at the city square,
but the track quickly leads to the sweeping grassland hills
surrounding the town. The track is not entirely flat and is
genuinely o utd o o r:
This offroad marathon run challenges the willpower of the
athletes, but at the same time it gives people a fantastic
opportunity to cast aside the worries of every day and fully
absorb the exquisite nature and clean air.
10. Past winners of the Grassland Marathon
MEN
2008 – Yang Meng (CHN)
2009 – Zhang Zhenlong (CHN)
2010 – Liang Guoqing (CHN)
2011 – Liu Yong (CHN)
2012 – Yun Yan Qiao (CHN)
WOMEN
2009 – Zhang Xiuzhu (CHN)
2010 – Zheng Rufang (CHN)
2011 – Jennifer Graham (CAN)
2012 – Sarah Edson (GBR)
11. Participants residential area
41% foreign bikers from 30 countries. 59%
Chinese bikers from over 21 cities or towns.
Age Analysis of Participants Participants from Beijing area and Inner Mongolia
53% of the participants are between 20 and 30 Autonomous Region stands for 28% of total
years old , and 95% are under 40 years. number of participants
北京
60. 00% 19%
53. 43%
50. 00%
40. 00%
国际
30. 00% 41%
22. 39% 内蒙古
9%
20. 00%
11. 85%
10. 00% 上海
3. 29% 3. 39% 3. 57% 2. 07%
4%
0. 00% 河北
2%
5- 12
13- 15
16- 20
21- 30
31- 40
41- 50
51- 60
山东
3%
山西
Spectators 江苏 4%
其它 广东 4%
Local City residents, domestic and foreign 7% 7%
travelers. A total of about 20.000 persons
* Data based on 2011 event. In 2012, the number of foreigners was even
higher at approx 50% of total number of participants
12. FOLLOW US ONLINE
Check the official website of the Genghis Khan MTB
Adventure and Grassland Marathon
Become a fan of Genghis Khan Festival on
facebook, and get acquainted with other
participants!
Stay up-to-date on new developments
via Twitter, or tweet with fellow-
participants!
Sina Weibo : Tweet in Chinese
Renren.com : The Chinese equivalent of
Facebook
Register for the event via active.com
13. NORDIC WAYS
Nordic Ways is a company dedicated to
developing, producing and promoting brand
sports events in China, focusing mainly on
sports with strong traditions in the Nordic
countries. With extensive sport management
experience, cross-cultural expertise and long-
term committed collaborations, we provide a
wide range of tools for marketing, PR and
teambuilding for our strategic and commercial
partners. Currently with 30 employees, located
in China and Europe
PROMISES
•We deliver exciting and challenging sport
events for elite and amateurs alike
•We offer a unique arena for companies and
brands in the Chinese market
•We play a key role in the sport development
and event industry in China
•We create a hub for exchange of ideas and
competence
VALUES
Pioneering; Committed; Passionate; Playful
.
14. Contact us
• Nordic W Management Consulting Beijing Co, Ltd
ays
Mr Kris Van de Velde
Director of Sport
Email: fan.kesi@nordicways.com
• Tel: +86 131 2009 2913
Ms Kate Liu
Logistics & Management Assistant
Email: kate.liu@nordicways.com
• Tel: +86 (10) 8580 1757
• Nordic W Beijing Office
ays
Address: Room 2109, tower A, SOHO New Town,
88 Jianguo Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, 100022, CHINA