An international long-distance running race, following the route of the Silk Road, finished its fourth leg last week in northwest China's Qinghai Province.

It's a good idea to integrate sports and the charming culture of China, French organizer Jean-Claude Le Cornec said.

Jean-Claude, also the principal of France Long-distance Running Association, first launched the event nine years ago, who then led a team of 60 members running from Xi'an to Dunhuang.

"The result of the race is not so important as other games," Jean-Cluade said.

"We enjoyed the beautiful sceneries and the ample culture of China, we had fun and we stick to the original meaning of sports. That's enough.

"The concept of combining sports and culture is not quite mature in Europe right now. But being a runner for decades myself, I believe it will be accepted by more and more people," he added.

During the past ten years, Jean-Claude has led his team to Beijing, Dunhuang, Xi'an and other places that are rich in culture. They always chose the routes that not all foreign visitors can follow, such as those lanes in the countryside, where they believe the simplest and original beauty of the country can be found.

The event is very popular now in European countries such as France, Switzerland and Italy, especially among women, said Li Xin, a tour agent in Paris.

(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2005)