The 2^nd Lidingoloppet China took part on a sunny and quite windy day at Changchun Jingyuetan Park. Around 10 000 people had gathered to run in the forest tracks. Except from local people of all ages, there had also come runners from many other parts of the world such as Kenya, Sweden, Australia and so on, just to participate in this race.

In the first row on the start line stood last years winners of Lidingoloppet China 30km, Xu Junliang and Wang Zemin. With them was last years Swedish Lidingoloppets silver medalists Lena Gavelin and Japhet Kipkorir from Kenya. Japhet could after 1:47:51 claim his victory in the race with a victory distance of almost 5 minutes to the 2^nd position which was taken bu last years number one Wang Zemin which mean that he can look forward to going to Sweden again this year to take part in Lidingoloppet in Sweden.

Lena Gavelin who says she was not in top shape and felt a bit unfamiliar with the track could still go on to take the 2^nd place in the women’s 30km, 2 minutes behind Xu Junliang from Jilin province team. 

Among those who had come a long way to take part in Lidingoloppet China was Qin Zichang, a runner from Hunan who travelled a whole day by train to Changchun and Nicola Cella from Shanghai who finally could pick up his number bib just one and a half hour before race start due to his flight being delayed by windy weather in Changchun the day before.

Some participants like Eskil Svensson and Mr “Pink Panther” really showed the fun and joy of running by wearing s bit unusual outfits. Eskil in big strap trousers and Swedish flag and Pink Panther of course in stylish Pink Panther costume.

After the race, people could pick up their Race diplomas and have some Swedish food. The sky became grey during a few hours with some rain drops coming down. The sun decided to come out again though just in time for people to listen to some music and from a local Russian children’s choir and the Swedish male vocal group Swinging Tunes from Stockholm who performed some Swedish and American songs to the delight of the listeners.

Click HERE to find your result

Men 30km Top Three

1. Japhet Kipkorir, Kenya, 2. Wang Zemin, CHN,3. Dong Rui Huang, CHN

Women 30km Top Three

1. Xu Junliang, CHN, 2. Lena Gavelin, SWE, 3. Song Rong, CHN

Photos

"Pink Panther" (Rosa Pantern) together with Eskil Svensson and Lena Gaveling in the finish area after the race

The Childrens Race took part in the afternoon where the kids ran one lap around the arena