Marathon #6 : Genghis Khan MTB Adventure & Grassland Extreme Marathon

How it began

Towards the year end, during my resting season, I will start plan and prepare for the races on the second year.  This race was done in 2013,  time flies and it has already been 2 years since the race had passed.  I signed on this race because I was already getting very tired about the races in Singapore.  Being a small country, we do not have the luxury of wide spaces and scenic locations for run.  Thus the bare minimum of only 2 full marathons a year did not really satisfy my desire and needs for having to run more.  This is when we started to venture out.  Actually, in 2012, I was already travelling to many places regionally for races.  Therefore at the end of 2012, I began to think about going even further.  One site that I find very useful for me to research on the races to go for is http://marathons.ahotu.com/ .  This site categories the types of races based on Month, Countries and Distance.  It allows me to know when will be a good time to go and based on my budget, which are the ones I can go.

Mongolia

This race caught my attention.  Although it has originated with the grassland cycling races, the organisers threw in the marathon for the more rounded race.

The Genghis Khan Grassland Marathon is unique to only the Inner Mongolian Town of Xiwuqi

( Xiquzhumuqinqi).  Running the vast grassland with nothing but the blue sky and green green grass is definitely an experience which most will not get to understand except those who participate.  During the period of July where the races usually takes place, the town’s Cultural Square becomes busy and has a lot of action going on with setting up of the race start and also stage for the prize presentation.

The weather during July is rather fair and good.  It gets really hot in the noon but other than that it is naturally cooling.  According to the locals, there is hardly any rain during this period.  Even if there are, it is usually drizzling.  The extremity in both day and night weather still does not render one to wear an extra coat or poncho before the race.  It is about 18 -20 degrees Celsius in the day while the night can go as low as 12 degrees.

The Yurt City

Participation

The race is to be joined as a package, you can join the three days – five days course.  It all depends on your schedules and liking.  The nearest airport to Xiwuqi is at Xilinhot.  Flights from Beijing to Xilinhot by AIR CHINA operates early in the morning with one flight a day.  I waited nearly 3 hours for the flight to take off from its original flight time of 6 plus in the morning.  I got to know that the delay was usually due to weather.  Apparently, subsequent flights to Xilinhot is also available by other air lines but you will need to check with the local airport on this.

Travelling

I took the 3 days package and travelled to Xilinhot on a Saturday.  The packages are all handled by nordic ways.  The whole package which includes:

1. Transport from the Airport to the Xiwuqi
2. Meals
3. Accomodation in Xiwuqi
4. Race bib
5. Visit to the Genghis Khan Village
6. Dinner and After race party
7. Transport back to the Airport for departure

Air tickets are not included for the whole package and it costs about $550 SGD when I went there in 2013.

The flight time from Beijing to Xilinhot is about 1 hour.  There is a small snack meal on board.  However, many reviews mentioned that the flights are usually delayed and unreliable.  For my case, I was stranded at the airport for about 3 hours.  It was a long wait especially when travellers thought that the plane was to take off at 6am.

One thing about Domestic flight in China, everything is unpredictable especially for big airports like Beijing (it doesn’t help that they have about 3 terminals).  I noticed that some of the participants just stayed inside the airport instead of going out into the city.  This is quite a good idea because the airport is really far from the city centre and you can never be sure about the traffic situation.   Once you are there, the queues do not separate according to the flights but according to the airlines.  This means you can queue in the same line for all flights of the day.  This makes the queue really long and sometimes the person in front of you is only flying off at a later time than you.  Some of the passengers might not have good manners and they will cut queue, be careful about that.

At the Xilinhot Airport, there will be staff from the Nordic Ways with clear signs and banners will direct you to their buses.  Anyway there are not many people travelling to Xilinhot, therefore most of the participants are actually coming for the race.

Xiwuqi

The hotels which they assign is either the Electric Hotel or the Xiwuqi hotel.  The Electric Hotel is a better hotel as it is nearer to the start point.  However, if you like something quiet and tranquil, the Xiwuqi hotel will be good.  Both hotels are well equipped and has hot showers and clean facilities.  Meals are consumed in the hotel.  The town centre is the start and end point of the marathon.

The city itself is simple with not many high rises.  People here generically are able to speak Mandarin.  There are no big malls here but there are supermarkets available.  If you are looking for specific sports stall then you need not look as they do not have such stores here.  Only at the race expo could you get the energy gel and other more specific items.  The race expo is in the function room of the Electric hotel  and this is also where you collect your bib and tee shirts and souvenirs.

There is nothing much in this town just functional and quiet.  But the city centre has a tibetian temple worth a visit.  There are couple of good restaurants serving good steamboat.

Race 

The race was held on a Sunday morning at about 7 am.  The weather was fine and wind was cool.  As we flag off from the city centre, we head straight into the grasslands.  It is really cooling and not squeezed as there were not many participants.  Totally enjoyed the space as compared to some races in Singapore.

The grasslands it self is really vast, you really do not know what is the direction.  There are small flags on the ground to mark the points and distances.  Along the way vans with Local isotonic drinks and water were provided.  There was also some bananas and gels at certain stations.

As some areas the grass can be quite long, it is advisable to wear socks or long pants.  The weather gets really hot and sunny in the mid day and you really need sunglasses for this.  Do also prepare a lot of sunscreen as the sun can be really strong.

Start and Finishing at the same point

 

Post Race

As you run in to the finisher pent, a lady in traditional Mongolian costume will greet you with your finisher medal.  There was also drinks and isotonic water for your replenishment.  Bananas were available for the runners.  Most of the finishers just laze around the main square to take pictures and also check out their results.

After a quick shower, the bus which brings the runners to the Genghis Khan Yurt City stops by to bring all the participants for a night stay at the Yurt and dinner at the city.

 

Genghis Khan Yurt City

Basically there are many yurts in the area, it was within the grasslands.  My Yurt was actually small and I had to share with one more participant.  It was not paved or tiled so you actually see the grass in your yurt.  The toilets have to be shared and it is actually not very clean.  However, I noticed that some families opt for the better family yurts with private toilets.  That will be a better choice.

All the participants get to dine at the Yurt city with a lot of BBQ Lamb and beer ( you will need to buy your own alcohol).  After the dinner was a party session within the city.  If you are not interested for the party, it is better to sleep early to prevent over sleeping as the next day, if you are leaving the race village early to catch the 8 am flight back to Beijing it can take quite some time.

The Genghis Throne

OVERALL

On the whole, I will say that this race is pretty interesting especially if you have never experienced the grasslands before.  But it is getting more and more popular these days so you would need to book the slots fast.