As we've alluded to in previous reports, Kunming is a great place for training for endurance sports, such as running and cycling.

Kunming, at around 1900m above sea-level, is high enough to add an extra test, but isn't high enough to increase the likelihood of altitude-related illnesses. The city's weather remains fairly well-behaved all year round, with November and December delivering bouts of sunny weather. Then there's the air quality - for a Chinese city of its size, the air quality is surprisingly good, and is among the best for Chinese urban areas.

If you're interested in training full-time, Kunming's low cost of living makes the city a great option.

So, if you're feeling it, but need a goal to get going, here's some events in the region that might provide the impetus you need:

Xiamen Marathon, 5 January 2008
In 2008, this race is being held rather earlier than in previous years, so this is may be one for any readers already in training. In GoKunming's experience, Xiamen is the best marathon in the country - great crowd turn out, fairly interesting course (including a section on elevated road over the sea) and a host city that offers something a little different. Comprises full marathon, half marathon, 10km and 5km races.

Hong Kong Marathon, 2nd February 2008
Full marathon, half marathon and 10km races, organised well, and with massive turnout, but run over an uninspiring course.

Green Power Hike, 1 March 2008
Trail hike along the 50km Hong Kong Island Trail. Most participants walk, but there's always plenty of runners too.

Ironman China, 20 April 2008
This is the biggie - an 'iron-distance' triathlon (that's consecutive 4km swim, 180km bike and 42km run) held in Haikou, Hainan province. For those with more down-to-earth goals, there's a half-ironman too. There has been trouble with getting this event off the ground for the past two years - fingers crossed they get the go-ahead this time around.

Great Wall Marathon, 17 May 2008
This race in partly run along a section of the Great Wall in Hebei province. The official website is down right now, but might be worth checking up on if you're looking for something 'different'.

Bintan Triathlon, 24 & 25 May 2008
A bit further afield, this triathlon (Olympic and Sprint distances) is held on Bintan Island, a short ferry ride from Singapore.

This is just a selection - please feel free to leave a comment if you find another event that might suit GoKunming readers.

The Yunnan Provincial Stadium (省体育馆) is home to much more than the Hongta Yunnan Football Club. Located at 99 Dongfeng Dong Lu, just across the street from the Camellia Hotel, the stadium compound offers a handful of public recreation facilities.

Swimming
Tuodong Swimming Pool is among Kunming's best. The Olympic-sized (50-meter) pool is open to the public every day from 6:00 am until 10:00 pm. Swimmers receive a locker key with the 15-yuan entrance fee. For 200 yuan (plus a 20-yuan refundable deposit for your ID card), you can get a one-month pool pass; this must be purchased at the complex's main office right on Dongfeng Dong Lu. Tuodong has two pools—a 25-meter one used primarily for children's classes, and the larger one for public use. The eight-lane pool is always busy but rarely overcrowded. You may want to avoid weekend afternoons and evenings, when the lanes are somewhat crowded with kids floating around and playing games, making lap swimming an adventure.

Golf
On the stadium's north end, the side facing Dongfeng Lu, the complex's golf facility operates a driving range. One bucket of 50 balls costs 40 yuan; club rental is 10 yuan. The range opens only in the evening, from 6:00 p.m. until midnight. The tees take an elevated position several rows up in the stadium, which has the effect of making a weak drive seem to sail much further and higher than it actually does. The range also features small tables near the tee boxes so duffers can take a break and enjoy a cold beverage.

Running
If you walk up the hill toward the stadium and follow the drive to the left, you'll arrive at a soccer field and outdoor track. Both are free and open to the public, although local leagues often reserve use of the field.

Yunnan Provincial Stadium
云南省体育馆
99 Dongfeng Dong Lu
东风东路99号
Swimming Pool: 3176759
Driving Range: 3123559

Springtime in Kunming is some of the best weather in any major Chinese city. The warm sun and clear blue skies are ideal for getting outside for some exercise.

Kunming resident Richard Tomlinson has organized a Kunming running group via our forum section. The group meets on Sundays at 1:00 pm at the Xigong Matou (西贡码头) bus stop at the intersection of Dianchi Lu and Yinghai Lu.

The Dianchi area has some of Kunming's widest roads and sidewalks and some of the cleanest air in the city - the above image is one of the areas the group runs through. Anyone of any fitness level is welcome to join the running group. For more information, contact Richard at redmoon43(at)mac.com.