Competition details and regulations :
1. 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.
2. 2026 Xiwuqi Route 99 Beautiful Countryside Running is divided into three categories: the 23km Grassland Run Group, the 10km Beautiful Countryside Run Group, and the 5km Kids KOG Parent-Child Run Group 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 in open spaces.
3. Participants competing solely in the Grassland Run, Beautiful Countryside Run, or Kids KOG Parent-Child Run will not be awarded any KOG points. Points are exclusively reserved for competitors in the KOG categories. Please refer to the official KOG competition rules for full details.
4. All participants are required to register online before the event.
5. All participants should behave in a sporting manner at all times and shall permit any faster runner to overtake without obstructing.
6. 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.
7. The start arena at the Xiwuqi Culture Square for the running event will be divided into three starting blocks.
(1) Block A: Grassland Run Group runners
(2) Block B: Beautiful Countryside Run Group runners
(3) Block C: Kids KOG Parent-Child Run runners
8. The start and finish arena for the Grassland Run, Beautiful Countryside Run and Kids KOG Parent-Child Run is at Culture Square.
9. Intermediate time checkpoints will be installed along the race course. Runners who do not pass these checkpoints will be disqualified from the race result.
10. Runners who wish to change distance can do so until maximum 30 minutes before the race start (i.e. 7:30 am). These runners should come to the race jury & time-keeping tent at the starting line. Runners who decide to change distance during the race itself will be marked as ‘DNF’ in the result list.
11. Cut-off times - There is a minimum speed requirement for all runners. Cut-off times at designated aid stations will be strictly adhered to by the race marshals. Important: the cut-off times are applied to your exit out of the aid station, not your entry. Runners who are too late 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 finish arena at Culture Square.
(1) 09:30 - Cut-off time at Finish for Beautiful Countryside Run and Kids KOG Parent-Child Run at Culture Square
(2) 10:35 - Cut-off time Grassland Run at km 13
(3) 12:30 - Cut-off time at Finish for Grassland Run at Culture Square
12. Results – This competition adopts the chip timing method, and the induction timing chip will start timing (net time) when the athlete passes the starting point.
13.Participants in the Grassland Run who wish to DNF voluntarily and without any medical urgency can do so at aid stations designated as DNF points (e.g. at the COT point at KM 14). Official vehicles will bring you back to start/finish arena from these DNF points.
14. A podium and prize giving ceremony will be held 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.
15. Athletes who wish to appeal to the competition (including but not limited to objections to personal results, violations, etc.) must submit their appeal requests to the race jury at the finish line within half hour after their individual completion. When appealing, a written appeal request must be submitted, clearly stating the content of the appeal, signing the name and time, and a deposit of 200 yuan for the appeal must also be paid. If the appeal is ruled valid, the deposit will be fully refunded; otherwise, it will not be returned. The completion of the three processes of submitting an application in a timely manner, submitting materials immediately and paying the deposit right away is regarded as the beginning of the appeal. The appeal of the competition adheres to the general principle that the party making the appeal shall provide relevant supporting materials. Both the appellant and the party being complained against should prepare their own supporting materials. After the referee team reviews the supporting materials of the appellant or the party being complained against, verifies the CP point records provided by the timing group, and checks the supervision records of the mobile referees on the track, the final arbitration award will be made. Once the award is made, The complainant or the respondent must accept. When the appeal request of the chief complainant involves the podium results and rankings, and if the appeal result has not yet been released but it is also the awarding time period, in order to ensure the integrity of the event, the awarding process will continue to be carried out first based on the results provided by the timing group and signed by the race director. After the appeal result is out, the appeal will be successful and valid. If it involves changing the award results or the winners, the event organizing committee will notify the winners separately, exchange the prize money and prizes, and make a public announcement.
16. Each finishing participant will receive an official certificate and medal.
17. Course marking - The running course will be clearly marked by colored arrows and by flags.
(1) Grassland Run Group = blue color
(2) Beautiful Countryside Run Group = white color
(3) Kids KOG Parent-Child Run = orange color
18. The GPX file of the course 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.
19. 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.The Grassland Run Group is 75% offroad and has three hill climbs and descents. Doable with road shoes, but in case of wet weather trail shoes might be appropriate to have more grip on the trail sections. Beautiful Countryside Run is 50% offroad.
20. Aid stations: Each route is equipped with aid stations as marked on the course map. Aid
stations are provided every 3 kilometers. All aid stations provide supplies including water, sports drinks, bananas, chocolate and small buns, while salt tablets are available at selected aid stations. Have extra energy gels in your pocket nonetheless.
21. The running courses are all in wide open spaces. This implies participants could be exposed to sunshine nearly all the way, as well as to potentially strong winds. Take preventive measures.
22. Littering zones: Xiwuqi KOG 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.
23. Clothes deposit/drop bag: Participants may store clothes at the designated bag drop area for each group before the race. Please write your bib number clearly on the sticker of the bag. It is recommended to complete bag check-in by 6:40 AM.
24. 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.