World's highest bridge triathlon international challenge held in Guizhou

Huajiang Grand Bridge is currently the highest of its kind in the world. [Photo provided to eguizhou.gov.cn]

The inaugural World's Highest Bridge Triathlon International Challenge was held in the Huajiang Canyon Bridge and surrounding area in Zhenfeng county, Southwest China's Guizhou province, on Sept 21.

Nearly 200 triathletes from 22 countries and regions, including China, the United States, and Germany, started their extreme challenge at the world's highest bridge.

The challenge set up six categories, including men's and women's elite groups of 18-35 age, the 36-45 age, and the 46-60 age, covering triathlon enthusiasts of different ages.

It covered a total of 36.75 kilometers and consisted of three stages: swimming, cycling, and running. Athletes first completed a 0.75-km swim in the Beipan River and then braved a 26-km cycling section along the road at the bottom of the Beipan River Canyon, with a vertical altitude climb of nearly 600 meters and a cumulative climb of 798 meters, making it a grueling test of bike control technology and physical fitness.

The final 10 km ran on a highway that has not yet been officially opened to traffic. Athletes crossed the Huajiang Canyon Bridge, faced the strong canyon wind, and overlooked the deep river scenery.

Joshua Pellow, Li Pengcheng, and Zhang Junjie were champion, runner-up, and second runner-up in the men's elite 18-35 age group; Guo Jing, Zhang Min, and Deng Yifan were champion, runner-up, and second runner-up in the men's elite 36-45 age group; Xing Yukuai, Alexandre Sybillain, and Liu Jin were champion, runner-up, and second runner-up in the men's elite 46-60 age group.

Chen Yixuan, Fu Shiqi, and Yao Jie were champion, runner-up, and second runner-up in the women's elite 18-35 age group; Ma Rong, Luo Xiaoqiu, and Wang Wenjun were champion, runner-up, and second runner-up in the women's elite 36-45 age group; Qin Zhuohua, Xu Xiaoling, and Zhong Suzhen were champion, runner-up, and second runner-up in the women's elite 46-60 age group.