The China Three Gorges Ultra Trail Race was first launched in 2015 as China’s first 100-mile trail race, founded by renowned ultra-runner and promoter Yu Lei. Yu Lei described the positioning of the Three Gorges Ultra as high difficulty and high caliber. The UTTG full course spans 169 km with nearly 10,000 meters of cumulative elevation gain; the UTTG half course is 114 km long with 5,500 meters of elevation gain; and the UTTG 38 km event also features over 1,700 meters of climbing. It is precisely because of these two elements — “incredibly scenic” and “brutally tough” — that the inaugural event in 2015 attracted 300 participants. The beautiful scenery along the route, the challenging course, and the thoughtful services received widespread acclaim from the runners. The second edition in 2016 drew trail enthusiasts from 81 domestic cities as well as from countries including Spain, France, Russia, and Japan. This year’s event attracted a total of 506 trail running enthusiasts from all 33 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions across China except Tibet, covering 125 cities, as well as from the United States, Mexico, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Among them, the 169 km full course saw 271 participants, many of them elite athletes. Previous champions such as Gu Bing (winner of the first China Three Gorges Ultra and the China Huangshan Ultra full courses), Xie Zhangrong (last year’s Three Gorges champion), Wei Kailun (champion of Dali 100), and other trail running stars including Li Bing, Guo Weiqing, and Zhang Youliang gathered at the Three Gorges for this epic showdown that could “cement one’s legendary status.”
After an exceptionally grueling competition, many top athletes were defeated, and the ultimate champions in both the men’s and women’s full course categories were unexpected dark horses. The men’s champion was Zhu Tianbo from Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Yunnan Province, who set a new race record with an impressive time of 29 hours and 26 minutes, finishing more than three hours ahead of the second-place runner. The women’s champion was Yu Lihong from Dalian, with a time of 41 hours, 44 minutes, and 50 seconds. The 114 km category champion was Columbia-sponsored athlete Li Kuo, who claimed victory with ease, while the women’s 114 km champion was another dark horse — Zhang Lian from Guizhou.
Men’s full course champion Zhu Tianbo crossing the finish line
Men’s and women’s full course champions Zhu Tianbo and Yu Lihong
Men’s half course champion Li Kuo and women’s half course champion Zhang Lian
Men’s half course champion Li Kuo crossing the finish line
The Three Gorges Ultra Trail Race, now in its third consecutive year, has been hailed by internationally acclaimed trail runners as the “most professional,” “technically advanced,” and “most challenging” trail competition. It is also known in the trail running community as the race where one can “cement their legendary status,” attracting widespread attention both domestically and internationally. The stunning scenery along the Yangtze River Three Gorges, the warm hospitality of the local people, and the vast expanses of Zigui navel oranges left a profound and unforgettable impression on the visitors.
As Yu Lei’s personal sponsor and the title sponsor of the Three Gorges race, the renowned American outdoor brand Columbia highly values Yu Lei’s extensive trail running experience, sincere and down-to-earth approach, and the professional course design and event management of the Lei Trail Running team. Yu Lei is a pioneer and advocate of trail running in China, and the Lei Trail series of races has nurtured a large number of outstanding domestic runners. Columbia is committed to working with Lei Trail to jointly promote the development of trail running in China, providing better events and more professional gear for trail enthusiasts, and sharing the beauty of sports and nature together.
Tested Tough – We Don’t Do Things Halfway!
Race director Yu Lei presents a sponsor trophy to Mr. Zhu Guangxian, General Manager of Columbia, in gratitude
Milestones in Columbia’s Development:
★ 1938 – Columbia Hats Company is established
★ 1960 – Gert Boyle designs the first Columbia fisherman’s vest. Columbia Hats Company becomes Columbia Sportswear Company
★ 1975 – Columbia goes international
★ 1982 – Columbia pioneers the world’s first Interchange System
★In 1982, Columbia was the first to design the world's first Interchange System
★In 1984, Mrs. Gert Boyle, Chairwoman of Columbia’s Board of Directors and brand spokesperson, took on the role of the “Tough Mother” in a series of Columbia television and print advertisements.
★In 1986, Columbia launched the Bugaboo Interchange Parka, a versatile outerwear piece that achieved the remarkable feat of selling one million units in its first year — and has now surpassed five million units sold to date.
★In 1991, Columbia developed and introduced its proprietary Omni-Tech technology.
★In 1996, Columbia opened its first flagship store in Portland, Oregon, USA.
★In 1997, Columbia was the first to develop Omni-Dry technology.
★ In 1998, Columbia successfully went public on the NASDAQ stock exchange in the United States.
★ In 2001, Columbia partnered with Swire Resources Limited in Hong Kong to enter the Hong Kong market.
★ In 2004, Columbia expanded its business to mainland China.
★ In 2008, Columbia introduced its proprietary Omni-Tech waterproof and breathable technology breakthrough in footwear products.
★ Columbia exclusively developed the Omni-Shade UV protection technology.
★ In 2009, Columbia exclusively developed the Omni-Shield stain-resistant technology.
★ Columbia exclusively developed the world’s first electrically heated snow boots.
★In 2010, Columbia launched its groundbreaking Omni-Heat™ thermal reflective technology
★In 2011, Columbia introduced Omni-Freeze ICE™ cooling technology and brought in the OutDry™ waterproof breathable technology
★In 2012, Columbia launched Omni-Wick EVAP™ advanced moisture-wicking technology
★In 2013, Columbia unveiled Omni-Freeze ZERO™ advanced cooling technology
★In 2015, Columbia launched the Tested Tough global marketing campaign highlighting rugged quality