Intro to 2023:
- The Grassland 50 is a timed running challenge that is 60% on tarmac road and 40% offroad, mainly gravel and grassland paths. The course is not flat and is slightly hilly in parts.
- Start and finish is on tarmac road in the centre of Xiwuqi town at Wenhua Guangchang (Culture Square). The first 25 km of the race are nearly entirely on road.
- The shorter distance categories are 22km and 11km. The 22km follows exactly the same route as the 50km until MongolianYurt Camp, finish line of the 22km race. The 11km makes a loop around the Nadamu Arena.
- Aid stations are put at every 5 km interval until km 30, then every 3 km until the finish.
- Participation: the three race categories open to everyone meeting the conditions of entry.
- There is a mandatory gear list for 50 km participants
Conditions of entry
Before registering for the race, please read through the conditions of entry in the registration platform
Competition details and regulations
- Each participant must read through the full specific event regulations and guidelines below and is assumed to accept them when starting in the competition of choice.
- The Grassland 50 and shorter categories of 22km and 11km are open to everyone in good physical condition (see also conditions of entry regarding insurance). All Participants must be mindful of the safety aspects of the race, and the challenge of long distance running.
- All participants are required to register online before the event.
- Only leg power is allowed to cover the race distance.
- All participants should be have in a sporting manner at all times and shall permit any faster runner to overtake without obstructing.
- Participants should collect their participant goodie pack including their number bibs at the Race Office before the race in the Xiwuqi Hotel. Number bibs are to be worn in front according to instructions given, and should not be bent or modified in any way. Participants not wearing any number bib will not be allowed to enter the starting area.
- Participants should arrive at the starting area at least 15 minutes before the start of the race.
- The start arena at Culture Square will be divided into four starting blocks.
- Block A: 50km runners;
- BlockB: KOG participants;
- Block C: 22km runners;
- Block D: 11k runners
- The event is timed by chip for all participants, during the whole course. Follow the time-keepers instructions during race pack collection.
- Intermediate time check points will be installed along the race course. Runners who do not pass these checkpoints will be disqualified from the race result.
- The timekeeping will result in an official final ranking, both for men and women. Once approved by the race director and race jury, it will be provided immediately online and on site.
- There is a maximum time limit (cut-off time) at all checkpoints for all distance categories. Runners who are too late at a checkpoint will be told to stop and no exceptions will be tolerated. This is an official requirement by the local security authority.Cars are available to bring people back to the start/finish area.
- 50 km CP 1 (km 22): 10:00 am
- 50 km CP 2 (km 42): 13:30 pm
- 50 km Finish: 14:30 pm
- 22km Finish: 10:00 am
- 11km Finish: 8:30 am
- The running course will be clearly marked by coloured arrows and by flags.
- 50km = blue colour arrows and flags
- 22km = pink colour,
- 11km = white colour
- Please note that there is cattle (sheep, cows, horses,) in the grasslands and they occasionally run over or destroy our course signs. While we do what we can to avoid issues like these, we count on your sense of adventure and good spirit to accept this inconvenience, should you encounter this during the race. It is unlikely you will get lost as you should be seeing signs regularly and at least every kilometer.
- GPX file will be made available in the last days before the race. Note that the GPX serves as a guideline for runners only. The course marking always overrules the GPX file, as last-minute changes can always occur.
- Participants must follow the course as marked by the Organizing Committee (OC). Shortcutting will result in disqualification from the competition. Participants going off the official track will be self-responsible for any risk or injury occurring during this time.
- A prize giving ceremony will beheld after the race. Participants eligible for a prize are required to check the event timetable and remain at the Event Arena to collect their prize on the podium stage.
- Complaints about race result can be communicated to the race jury until 30 minutes after the relevant finish time. Note that a deposit of 200 RMB will be required for the jury to handle the case. If the complaint is deemed justified by the race jury, the person who filed the complaint will get the deposit back.
- Each finishing participant will receive an official certificate and medal
- Refreshment stations: there will be aid stations with water, energy drink & snacks at every 5km and after 30km at 3km intervals for 50km runners. Have an extra energy gel in your pocket nonetheless.
- Littering zones: Xiwuqi King of the Grasslands supports Leave No Trace (LNT) and will be strictly implementing its policy. Littering will only be allowed at well-marked and designated zones around the refreshment stations. Participants who are spotted throwing away bottles, cups, wrapping paper or any other garbage outside these zones will be disqualified from the result list of the event.
- Clothes deposit: participants can drop off extra clothing at the secured designated area at start/finish arena before 6:45 a.m. Please use the stickers with your number bib print to identify your clothes bag.
- Mandatory Gear: the following items are mandatory to carry for all 50 km participants:
- Hydrovest (trail running vest) or running belt with capacity of minimum 1 litre of water that must be carried during the race
- Emergency blanket
- Rain jacket
- Sun protection (lotion, cream or spray)
- Whistle
- Energy bars or gels
- Mobile phone
- GPX file downloaded on smartwatch or mobile phone
- All items must be presented at the race pack collection. If an item is missing = no bib, no start. Please note long endurance races in the outdoors are under severe scrutiny so we will not make any exceptions for anybody!
- Recommended gear: although the 50km is off road for most of the second part, in dry conditions you can use normal road running shoes. If you require more comfort or if it’s wet, you may consider cross country or trail shoes that provide better grip. The 22km and 11km can be done perfectly with just road shoes. Weather: it can be windy in the grasslands, and if the temperatures remain modest in the morning, consider wearing a light wind vest. Sun protection is a must for every participant. Wear a cap or apply suntan lotion. The sun is very strong in the grasslands and may cause sunburn and dehydration. The air is dry and you may feel less need to drink. But do not take dehydration lightly for your own health’ s sake!
- A lead car with the race director for way-clearing, an ambulance, pick-up car and media cars are allowed on the course during the event. Besides, no other cars are allowed on the track.
- The race director and/or the race jury is authorized to stop and disqualify participants (results included) who have violated the event regulations, or have harmed the integrity of the event or of other participants
- The race director and/or the Organising Committee is authorized to shorten the race distances or cancel the races if participants’ security cannot be guaranteed due to force majeure (e.g. rainfall will not stop the race, but extreme conditions and thunderstorms may lead to special measures)
- Emergency: our emergency hotline number is printed on your number bib. Every participant is to take along a mobile phone during the race. Medical staff is on stand-by
- If any additions to these regulations become necessary, these will be publicized by the OC on-site and online.
- The final authority on the interpretation of the regulations for all relevant races is owned by the race director supported by the race jury.