We stay in China, but move to the capital of Anhui Province, for the country's first-ever Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. The domestic debut of the series got underway in Hefei on Sunday morning, with participants competing for 50 qualification slots at next year's World Championship. One of the biggest stars to take part would be the three-time Ironman, and two-time 70.3 world champ, Craig Alexander of Australia.

The competition in Hefei is one of more than 90 events in the Ironman 70.3 Series of long-distance triathlon races. This edition of the event would attract more than 1,600 athletes from 58 countries and regions.

The participants would first face a one-loop, 1.2-mile, counterclockwise swim in Swan Lake, followed by a 56-mile bike ride that takes them south from the main areas of the provincial capital to Chao Lake, and then back to the Wanda Cultural and Tourism City.

The competitors would conclude the three-pronged test with a 13.1-mile lakeside run, and a jaunt through the Cultural and Tourism City, before finishing in front of the cheering spectators in the heart of Hefei.