Red Bull 400 :the Steepest Race on Earth
Once a slope for ski jumpers to descend, the Red Bull 400 has transformed it into a race to climb. At PyeongChang’s Alpensia, the grueling 400-meter uphill sprint is more than a test of endurance. It’s where the human drive to push limits meets Red Bull’s iconic spirit
PyeongChang, South Korea, September 20, 2025
On a drizzly fall morning at Alpensia Ski Jump Centre, nearly 700 athletes braced themselves for the Red Bull 400, widely known as one of the toughest races in the world. Despite a week-long weather delay and persistent rain, competitors warmed up on the wet grass, awaiting the race whistle. When the starting signal sounded, the cluster of runners surged upward for the summit, 400 meters overhead. The steep slope battered lungs and legs, and by the 300-meter mark, many abandoned running and crawled on all fours. The sheer brutality of the climb left runners gasping, muscles burning, and some collapsing at the finish. For most, the drive to finish came from cheers echoing up the slope—and perhaps a rush of energy from Red Bull’s Pink Edition. Reaching the summit, competitors tasted both exhaustion and exhilaration.
The origin of Red Bull 400
The Red Bull 400 started with a daring idea, what if you ran up a ski jump instead of flying down? Conceived by former Austrian national team sprinter Andreas Berger, the first Red Bull 400 was held on Tauplitz’s ski slope in Austria in 2011. The event swiftly went global, demanding superhuman endurance from trail runners, Olympians, and thrill-seekers.
In 2019, the race came to Korea. It has since become a highlight of Alpensia’s Olympic legacy, drawing local and international athletes year after year. The format is simple but punishing: to reach the finish, racers must ascend a ski jump’s 400-meter runway, climbing the equivalent of a 40-story building along a relentless incline. The hill’s grade reaches 37 degrees for nearly three-quarters of the route, forcing runners to crawl in the final meters.
Red Bull, the Steady Patron of Extreme Sport
At every extreme sports event, from cliff diving to mountain biking, Red Bull’s logo stands out. Since its launch in 1987, Red Bull’s marketing has set trends by linking its brand with adrenaline, backing high-risk competitions and amplifying their stories rather than traditional advertising. The company’s strategy: sell not just an energy drink, but a lifestyle of thrill, adventure, and premium experiences. Red Bull’s sponsorship turned the 400-meter uphill sprint from an obscure feat into a viral phenomenon, spotlighting both the bravado of its athletes and the relentless drive of all who dare. As a result, it’s not just about defeating gravity, but about pushing both physical and mental boundaries.
Lee Geon-yong (ST Reporter)
rjsdyd0414@soongsil.ac.kr