Chinese ultra-runner Bai Bin boarded a plane to the South Pole at Beijing airport on Feb 23, kicking off his journey of running from the South Pole to the North Pole.
Bai, 48, was born in Sinan county of Guizhou province and is a 17-year veteran of the grueling sport. He made history in 2011 when he ran over 10,000 kilometers across six countries and regions in 150 days.
Also in 2001, he made his decision to run from the South Pole to the North Pole, covering a distance of approximately 24,000 kilometers in around 300 days.
"Nobody ever did this," said Bai. "It will be the most important challenge of my life."
Bai will start from China's Changcheng (Great Wall) Research Station in Antarctica and start running on March 2, visiting 65 cities in 13 countries - Chile, Argentina, Peru, Ecuador, Columbia, Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, the United States and Canada.
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Bai Bin and a few of his fans at the launch of his Pole-to-Pole challenge. [Photo/todayguizhou.com] |
He plans to arrive at the North Pole on Nov 30. The whole distance covers multiple climate zones and countries, adding uncertainty to his journey. However, Bai is confident he will overcome all challenges.
"I run 70 to 80 kilometers in daily training, and I am confident of making it this time," said Bai.
"As a Guizhou native, I hope to make Guizhou proud," he added.
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Officials of the Guizhou sports bureau hold a ceremony to encourage Bai Bin (L) before he starts his Pole-to-Pole challenge. [Photo/todayguizhou.com] |
He also revealed that the expedition will form the basis of a number of kinetics and psychology studies as part of research into running and human endurance.
