Leader Yin found his inspiration at the Alliance Institute Ultra Gobi 16th Return Day. Sitting in the audience then, he knew little about the challenge. Yet, watching the Ultra Gobi 16th team compete, he was deeply moved by their courage to push boundaries and overcome themselves. Listening to their stories from the desert shook him to his core.
"I told myself: I must go to the Gobi. I want to encounter a better version of myself there and reconsider life's value and meaning." After overcoming numerous obstacles, he finally stood on the battlefield of Ultra Gobi 17th. Recalling the pre-race trial, Leader Yin said, "On the first day, we hit a sandstorm, making an already difficult race even harsher. The trial course was nearly 30 kilometers. Even for someone like me who trains daily, it was a major challenge. I felt off and couldn't find my rhythm. With so many participants crowded together, we could only move slowly with the flow. The dust was extremely hard on my body."
On the second day of competition, the team faced even stronger winds and sand. The cruel environment placed everyone in extreme conditions—a true trial of both body and spirit. Leader Yin recalled, "By the final leg, I was driven solely by belief, moving inch by inch. It took a long time, and I staggered, but I had only one thought: reach the finish line and not fail the teammates waiting for me! When I arrived, my teammates ran to me, and we embraced in tears. At that moment, those tears were not of grievance or fear, but of overwhelming emotion."
Someone once said, "There is no scenery at the end of the journey." This reminds us that the joy of life lies in the process, not the result. Leader Yin embodied this. During nearly two years of preparation, he trained hard, actively organized team sessions, and sent regular words of encouragement. Even when teammates were away, his heart remained with them. Facing the pressures of the pandemic and repeated postponements, he remained steadfast in his commitment, leading the Alliance Institute warriors to persist until today.
Leader Yin hopes that in this challenge, everyone can deeply embody the Xuanzang Spirit of "Ideal, Action, Perseverance, and Transcendence." He hopes they rediscover themselves through the loneliness and joy of trekking the vast desert, cultivating a resilient will and extraordinary courage by staying true to their original mission and acting with unwavering dedication. He wishes for teammates to unite, support each other, overcome difficulties together, and return safely.
Continuously breaking through limits, pursuing dreams, and finding happiness during the competition—this is the spirit of Alliance Institute. We head to Dunhuang with high morale, leaving Alliance Institute's mark in the Gobi once again. Fighting for the honor of Alliance Institute.