On the first day of 2016, while most Urumqi residents were hunkered down someplace warm, an intrepid group of 300 runners braved the subzero temperatures and blanket of snow to run the inaugural 2nd Silk Road Marathon.

The popularity and novelty of last year’s race, one designed to celebrate Xinjiang's hosting of the 13th National Winter Games, has led to organizers scheduling the second edition of the grueling yet spectacular marathon for Jan 1.

The race, organized by Urumqi municipal government, traces a historic section of the Silk Road in the Tian Shan Mountains and impressed last year's runners with spectacular pristine views. Entrants arrived from a multitude Chinese cities and shared a passion for the extreme challenges of long-distance running.

The event also hosts 10km and 3km races. Organizers hope to expand the number of participants from last year and have a capacity of 3,000.

Although the race is certainly not intended for the fainthearted, the rewards of the experience are undeniable according to Zhang Jian, general secretary of the Urumqi marathon association. He noted that the event was a fantastic demonstration of Xinjiang's scenic beauty and was, in his opinion, the most difficult marathon in China.

Another participant from last year's event was Tao Yuanyu, an experienced leader from Sichuan province who led a group of 30 to Xinjiang for the 2016 Silk Road Marathon.

He praised the event for its uniqueness and stated that he took part in the event both because of his love of running and want to experience firsthand the scenery of Xinjiang.

While the genuine experiences of those who travelled the Silk Road centuries ago cannot be fully recaptured, those willing to undergo the bitterness of an Urumqi January can grasp something of its essence.

By By Richard Whiddington and Qiu Guizhen