The Spartan Kids Race in Beijing and the Spartan Race in Haikou took place from October 1 to October 3, drawing over 15,000 participants eager to showcase their skills and determination. In the elite category for 12-14-year-olds in Beijing, Wang Hongqin (25:17) and Yu Lingying (32:00) emerged as the champions, while Wang Zizheng (28:48) and Lin Zishan (34:23) dominated in the 9-11-year-olds elite group. Meanwhile, in Haikou, Davide Liu (29:03) and Xu Fuli (39:13) secured top spots in the competitive division.
The Beijing event unfolded in the stunning Beijing International Horticultural Exhibition Park, known for its rich ecology and cultural vibrancy. The racecourse, featuring eye-catching floral displays and unique landscaping, presented 18-26 challenges over a course spanning 3km to 5km. The evenly distributed obstacles and the cool autumn breeze following a rain made for an exhilarating experience.
“This is our fifth consecutive year hosting the Spartan race at the horticultural park,” stated Zhang Haoyang, project leader for the Spartan Race. “Every year, we strive to create a distinct experience with varied course designs and obstacles. This year, over 95% of the course was set in a forest, meeting the young warriors’ craving for an off-road adventure while giving families a chance to take in Beijing’s breathtaking autumn scenery.”
Zhao Ke’er’s family had carefully planned their participation. Reflecting on his child’s growth, the father shared, “We see the Spartan Race as more than just a competition. At different stages, it inspires our child to embrace challenges and enjoy the rewards that come with them.”
Meanwhile, in Haikou, another popular vacation spot during the National Day holiday, the Spartan Race featured events for both adults and children, along with a special night race—the first of its kind in the region. The unique tidal course and parallel tracks created an exciting atmosphere for nearly 4,000 participants.
Xu Fuli, an experienced competitor, took the top spot in the women’s adult category. Describing the sandy course’s challenges, she said, “Running on the beach is definitely different from solid ground; it’s softer, making it tougher to maintain speed, which really spiked my heart rate at the start. But I adapted well. The October weather in Haikou is fantastic, and the tidal course design is amazing—surrounded by coconut groves and ocean views. I hope Spartan will come back to Hainan again.”
The children’s races were equally competitive, with young elite warriors pushing their limits. Long Kangkan, who won the 12-14 year female elite category, shared her experience: “The sand made it hard to get traction, and I felt exhausted. The second-place runner was right behind me, so I just kept pushing through. I’m really thrilled to have won.”
In a testament to their resilience, brothers Ren Yizhi and Ren Zhanzhi completed back-to-back Spartan Kids Races. After finishing the elite competition in Beijing on October 1, they quickly headed to Haikou for the kids’ race on October 2, winning titles in both the 12-14 and 9-11 age categories. “Haikou is really humid, and it was quite an adjustment coming from Beijing, but we both managed to push through,” reflected the older brother, Ren Yizhi, post-races.
