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With the approach of the one-year anniversary of the Sichuan earthquake, several sports groups have organized remembrance and relief activities. Both scheduled for the month of May, these are rigorous challenges for serious athletes.

Chengdu Sports Aid Half Marathon and 10K Run

The second annual half-marathon and 10K is seeking last-minute participants to make the run on Saturday morning.

The organizers, a small, international group of runners in Chengdu, have a stated goal of raising 20,000 RMB via the run through registration fees and sponsorships. This money will go toward supporting future Chengdu Sports Aid activities. Long-distance sponsor payments can be made via a Paypal account on the Sichuan Quake Relief website.

A half-marathon course is approximately 21 kilometers long; runners not up for such a demanding course are invited to participate in the 10-kilometer "fun run" occurring simultaneously.

Runners will start at 7:30 a.m. on Renmin Nan Lu just south of the Third Ring Road and culminate at the Shamrock where runners, volunteers, and supporters have the option to eat brunch.

Last year's half-marathon drew 14 participants, all of whom completed the course.

Chengdu Sports Aid, a spinoff project of Sichuan Quake Relief, regularly organizes sports and activities days for communities whose lives were interrupted by the earthquake.

Runners are asked to register on or before May 9, 7 a.m. Race start time is 7:30 a.m. Registration fees are RMB50 for the race, which includes water and a T-shirt; or RMB60 for runners who also want to participate in the Shamrock brunch. Further information about the event as well as Chengdu Sports Aid can be found here.

Chengdu Esperanto Association Bike Ride

Later this month, the city's serious cyclists will be showing their support of solidarity with quake victims with a strenuous 310-kilometer bicycle tour to Wenchuan and back.

The route begins at 3:30 a.m. on May 23 at the Yinmenkou Flyover and once beyond the Chengdu borders passes through Ande, Yutang in Dujiangyan, Yinxiu, Baiyun and Taoguan. With three major climbs along the way, the route takes riders to a final destination some 2,000 meters above the departure point. Once the cyclists arrive in Wenchuan, they will turn around and head back with the objective of returning before midnight the next day.

Checkpoints will be placed every 30 kilometers or so to provide sports drinks and energy bars as well as ensure that each rider is accounted for.

The challenge is open to interested parties including youth over the age of 14 with parental or guardian approval. Cyclists are responsible for their own safety, including supplying protective gear such as helmets, reflective strips, and headlights.

Participants are asked to register by May 20. Registration costs 60 RMB, and the form can be downloaded here. For more information call 13880710998 and attend the information session at 10 p.m. on May 20 on the second floor of the Chengdu Library in the Jinjiang District.