CHINA: As of early morning October 11th Beijing time, 28 out of 54 participants have completed the 2024 Ultra Gobi 400km race. Just 30 hours remain for the rest of the participants to complete the grueling challenge. The physical and mental toll of the race has been immense, with runners facing a constant battle between endurance and surrender.
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| Individual Category: Once the men’s podium was set, all eyes turned to the women’s finish. In the end, Zheng Junyue from China emerged as the female champion of the 2024 Ultra Gobi 400km race, completing the grueling challenge in an impressive 79:43:19. Her 4th place overall finish showcased exceptional strength and endurance. South African ultrarunner, Nicky Booyens, also delivered a strong performance, finishing 2nd among women and 7th overall with a time of 86:52:11. After the course was rerouted, Zheng was forced to return to a previous Rest Station due to wildlife sightings in her section. Nicky, who had yet to reach that area, was taken directly to the rerouted checkpoint and continued racing. This initially placed Nicky ahead on the GPS tracking, despite Zheng’s strong lead before the reroute. Determined to finish first physically, Zheng pushed herself relentlessly, eventually overtaking Nicky. Her remarkable achievement was even more impressive given the disruption to her race plan. A memorable moment occurred when Zheng passed Nicky at Rest Station 8. The two elite female ultrarunners shook hands, a gesture captured on camera as the ‘handshake of the century,’ highlighting their sportsmanship spirits. As of now, all participants in the individual category have entered the final 100km stretch. Despite the exhaustion, runners are finding motivation in various ways. Tang Zhengfen, for example, is determined to finish for her daughter, while Su Dengliang has discovered new perspectives through the experience. “I must finish”, said Tang Zhengfen, “then, I’ll give the complete ‘Tiger Tally’ as a gift to my daughter who is about to get married, symbolizing a harmonious union.” Jin Ge is using the race to raise awareness for a cause close to his heart, and Deng Yusheng is grateful for the support of his teachers and classmates. Zhang Xiaodong is already setting his sights on the next challenge: an 800km race. |
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| Two-person Category: The FeiHuan UltraTrial (FHUT) Team of Wu Weixing and Song Yaping has made significant progress, reaching the 345km mark. Unexpectedly, the TianYouDe Team of Nathan Montague and Adriana Moser had to withdraw from the race, due to an ankle injury suffered by Adriana. This was a devastating blow for the team, particularly for Nathan, who experienced a deep sense of guilt and sadness. The 2024 Ultra Gobi 400km race has been a grueling test of endurance and determination. Every participant who has embarked on this challenging journey deserves to be celebrated as a hero, regardless of their final placement. |
The 2024 Ultra Gobi 400 Women’s Podium (after time adjustments):
- Women’s 1st Place & Overall 4th: Zheng Junyue, 79:43:19
- Women’s 2nd Place & Overall 7th: Nicky Booyens, 86:52:11
- Women’s 3rd Place & Overall 16th: Gao Feifei, 99:33:00
Text & Photo Credits: Ultra Gobi
Video Credits: ICARUS Sports
