The middle distance race started on the famous scenic spot of Xiqiao Mountain in Nanhai District Foshan.

Leaders and guests visited the attractions on the Xiqiao Mountain including the historical quarry, Shiyan Cave and Tianchuang Pavilion.

A few days ago, the thousand-year-old quarry on the mountain was included on the eighth list of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units. It is the biggest and most complete historical underwater production site in China. What’s more, the dyke-pond of about 7 square kilometers on the southwest of the mountain was praised by the UNESCO as the beautiful scenery rare in the world and a good example of recycling solution.

Athletes were dedicating themselves in the completion.

The typical competitions of orienteering include the middle distance, the sprint relay and the sprint. Compared with the other two on different venues, the middle distance held on the Xiqiao mountain is the most technical and difficult. The venue is located on the upper mountain where is dense with shrubs and bushes. Athletes and runners have to cross the forest area by slowing down. The path network is so complex that the runners shall equip themselves with lasting strength, constant swiftness and precise orienteering.

Tian Xinde, Chairman of the Guangdong Outdoor Sports Association was doing an interview.

Athletes were doing an interview with the Nanyue Historical Road after competition.

The open class race called the Guangdong Historical Road Orienteering Championship ’Surfing 4K IPTV’ Cup #5 kicked off at the same time.

840 runners took part in the open class which was constituted of the competitions of the middle distance and the sprint, etc, among them 103 in the Elite Group and 737 in the Professional Group.

There were also amateur games friendly to the beginners, for example the experience game and the game exclusively for the villagers.

Leho Haldna, President of the IOF, was delivering a speech at the opening ceremony.

On the opening ceremony, Leho Haldna, President of the IOF,  congratulated Guangdong Historical Road Orienteering Championship on its achievement. He said in his speech that over the past 3 years, the Guangdong Historical Road Orienteering Championships has visited the villages, towns and cities of Guangdong Province. But more than that, the Historical Road events have also celebrated the culture of the local societies and integrated orienteering into that culture. The Guangdong Historical Road Orienteering Championships is a good example of a project that supports the IOF values and he took the opportunity to thank the Guangdong Provincial government for the leadership and support in this project.

The Guangdong Historical Road Orienteering Championship serves as a typical example of the integrated development of National Fitness Plan, Rural Revitalization Strategy, Ecological Protection Campaign and Red Culture Promotion. In view of the rapid development in the last four years, the OAC and the IOF repeatedly investigated the Championship and finally made the decision of settling the Orienteering World Cup Final 2019 on the Guangdong Historical Road.

As to the results of the competitions, the Sweden team was the biggest winner, collecting both champions in the Men’s and the Women’s.Gustav Bergman won the race with the time of 40:12. The Swiss Joey Hadorn finished second with 41:25 and the French Lucas Basset was the third with 41:53.

Winners of the games were having group photos on the podium.

Tove Alexandersson was the first woman athlete to cross the finish line at 41:33. The Russian Natalia Gemperle finished second with a time of 42:03. The third place went to Julia Jakob from the Switzerland and the time for her was 42:28. Special attention should be paid to Hao Shuangyan, an athlete from the host team. She ranked 11 in the game with a time of 47:17.

Actually, the Guangdong Historical Road serves as a window to showcase China. Traveling on the Road, athletes, journalists and tourists from all over the world will experience with their own eyes and steps the unique culture of China. To conclude, the Guangdong Historical Road Orienteering Championship “Surfing 4K IPTV” Cup will be a tremendous success has done in promoting fitness and sport and in enhancing the communications and exchanges between China and the outside world. Hopefully more are expected to be achieved in the future.

The Guangdong Historical Road Orienteering Championship has been enjoying wide support from the society. Among the generous supporters, the Guangdong Telecom and the Guangdong Sports Lottery Center have been the most active and keen.

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