Reliable Power Fuels a Trail Race and Boosts Ginkgo Tourism

On the morning of October 18, the Shili Ancient Ginkgo Corridor Mountain Race got underway at the Badugai Scenic Area in Huzhou, Zhejiang Province. More than 1,000 runners took to the mountain trails, enjoying the autumn scenery of the Shili Ancient Ginkgo Corridor, with its historic paths and bamboo groves. Staff from State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power provided proactive support, ensuring a reliable power supply and helping the event run smoothly. Their high-quality electricity services played an important role in this event combining sports and cultural tourism.

The race was the autumn edition of the Huzhou Four-Season Mountain Race. Its course combined paved roads, forest dirt tracks, and mountain trails, linking the Wulong Ancient Path and the Liuba Ancient Path. Participants could choose from three race categories: "Golden Journey", "Autumn Trail", and "Ginkgo Fun Run". Electrical equipment was installed at the start and finish areas, aid stations, medical assistance points, and the cultural and tourism market. Food stalls, large event screens, sound systems, and lighting installations created concentrated demand for electricity, posing a challenge to power supply reliability.

To ensure a reliable and uninterrupted power supply throughout the event, State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power conducted on-site inspections in advance, identified electricity connection points across the event area, assessed power requirements, and developed a tailored power supply assurance plan. Before the race, the company carried out comprehensive safety inspections of the main power supply lines, event distribution boxes, and temporary electrical installations. Inspectors focused on cable connections and residual-current protection devices to eliminate potential electrical hazards. Throughout the event, staff continuously monitored the power supply, tracked changes in electricity loads in real time, and remained prepared to respond to unexpected power-related incidents, helping ensure electrical safety throughout the race.

On the course, runners pushed themselves along the trails, experiencing the thrill of off-road racing. Nearby, the cultural and tourism market buzzed with activity, offering a tempting array of local specialties, including ginkgo coffee, ginkgo noodles, and regional snacks. Power service staff also visited market vendors, promoting electrical safety, explaining safe practices for temporary electrical installations, and reminding vendors to take appropriate precautions. These efforts helped ensure the market operated safely.

As the Badugai Scenic Area enters the peak season for ginkgo viewing, electricity demand is rising among rural restaurants and farm stays, guesthouses, other tourism businesses, temporary market stalls, and electric vehicle charging stations. Using a grid-based, precision-oriented, and digitalized operations and maintenance model, the company closely tracks regional electricity loads in real time and continues to strengthen inspections and corrective action to address electrical safety hazards throughout the area. It also streamlines electricity connection and service applications for tourism businesses through a dedicated fast-track service, while building an integrated online and offline service network. In addition, the company makes full use of the Guangming Matrix communications platform to provide regular electrical safety education for business operators and visitors, helping safeguard electricity use throughout the scenic area during the peak tourist season.

Going forward, State Grid Zhejiang Electric Power will continue to support the integration of culture and tourism at the county level. It will maintain reliable power supplies for scenic areas, rural markets, and outdoor events, while continuing to upgrade rural power grids. By providing reliable electricity, the company will support rural sporting and cultural activities and the development of distinctive local tourism industries, helping energize the rural cultural tourism economy and promote the development of attractive, vibrant villages.

(By Wu Qinqin)