Guizhou set to host World's Tallest Bridge Triathlon

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge is about to open to traffic in late September.  [Photo by Zhang Jie/For chinadaily.com.cn]

A mountain-and-bridge triathlon will take place in Guizhou province on Sept 21, featuring the soon-to-open Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, the world's tallest upon completion, as one of the venues, the provincial sports bureau said.

The Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge spans 2,890 meters with a deck that sits 625 meters above the valley's water surface.

The first World's Tallest Bridge Triathlon International Challenge will include swim, bike and run segments, taking place at the Sanchahe scenic area with the finish line on the bridge.

The full course measures 38.75 kilometers, with a 0.75 km swim in the natural waters below the bridge; the river's surface is more than 500 meters above sea level. The 28-kilometer cycling leg runs along the canyon floor and includes 798 meters of climbing, an HC-grade ascent that organizers say will give riders dramatic views of the bridge. The 10-kilometer run crosses the bridge and ends on the deck.

Ma Lei, director of the Guizhou provincial sports bureau, called the event "one of the world's most challenging triathlons" and praised the route's scenery. Organizers are offering nearly $30,000 in prize money across six age-group categories for men and women: 18 to 29, 30 to 39 and 40 and over.

About 200 athletes from countries including Germany, France and the United States have registered so far, officials said.

The following week, Guizhou will host an international parachute competition namely the 2025 International High Bridge Invitational Tournament which will run from Sept 23 to 29 and include three legs at the Beipanjiang, Baling River and Huajiang Grand Canyon bridges. Thirty-two low-altitude parachute and wingsuit pilots from 19 countries are expected to take part.

Ma said the two events are only a starting point and that the province plans to leverage its natural landscape and innovative thinking to attract more high-level international outdoor competitions at the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge.