"Sando Outdoor", the country's leading outdoor retailer, has signed a cooperation deal with the city of Daqing in a bid to promote the brand and bring more outdoor sporting events to the area. The deal was inagurated earlier this week during a ceremony attended by officials from both parties.

This new signed agreement means the Ironman race will be making a return to the place where it originated. The city, known as the "Oil Capital", holds the race as a commemoration of a labourer in the 1960's who, despite sweltering temperatures, drilled for five straight days which lead to the initial spurt. Several triathlon and marathons, and long-distance events on both water and snow will also be making appearances throughout the duration of the contract.