The term "Gobi" originates from the Mongolian language, meaning "land where vegetation is difficult to grow"; in Uyghur, it simply means "desert." It is a barren terrain where coarse sand and gravel cover a hard soil layer. Yet on May 1st, thousands of people gathered on this desolate land for a common goal—the 17th Ultra Gobi Challenge, prepared for over 700 days and nights, finally began!
Looking back on this competition, Yang Wenjin (affectionately known as "Jin Ge") couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. He said, "The lead-up to this competition was filled with excitement and anticipation. I had been training for nearly two years—the pain and sweat I endured, the time and pressure I invested—only I know best."
Setting foot on the long-awaited Path of Master Xuanzang, he finally embraced the night in the 80,000-square-meter camp and felt the breath of the soul amidst the raging wind and sand. In that moment, he was free.
Recalling the day the team members stepped onto the track, the fierce wind and sand followed immediately. Sand particles flew through the air; the world of sand was so vast that there seemed to be no place to stand. The team members from Alliance Institute faced the wind and sand bravely and advanced without retreat. This is the Alliance Institute spirit.
Having undergone the baptism of more than 700 days and nights, the 17th Ultra Gobi Challenge was destined to be extraordinary. But the true extraordinary goes far beyond that. The true extraordinary is choosing to gather here again after experiencing waiting, expectation, and loss; to endure the erosion of time and the hardships of the environment—and still be able to greet the rest of life with the brightest smile and the most tenacious courage.
What truly sets us apart is that even after seeing the truth of life, we can still love wholeheartedly, and still possess the determination and the will to embody the heroism of "not turning back until we reach the Holy Land."
Yang Wenjin has always been the running master of the team. This time, he even set aside his personal record, choosing to cross the finish line with the team—starting together and arriving together.
Yang Wenjin hopes that even though we have left the Gobi Desert where the winds once raged, the spirit of our pursuit—following in the footsteps of Master Xuanzang—can remain in our hearts forever, guiding the direction of our future.
We look forward to the next wonderful collision of our souls at the next Ultra Gobi Challenge.
