Li Zhixin, Director of the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China, introduced that hosting the mountain trail racing event in Yunnan, China, not only serves as a strong promotion for the sport itself but also provides a great opportunity to introduce Yulong and promote Naxi culture to people across the country. Yunnan is a province rich in mountainous resources in China, which provides fertile ground for the survival and development of mountain sports. This competition is also a new initiative to leverage Yunnan’s abundant mountain resources and regional advantages. Mountain trail racing, also known as mountain running, is a sport that showcases running ability in natural mountain environments and has been practiced internationally for over 20 years. The sport has relatively simple requirements for venue conditions and offers broad participation and high entertainment value, making it one of the ideal forms of nationwide fitness activities.
Currently, the Mountaineering Sports Management Center of the General Administration of Sport of China is responsible for the nationwide popularization and management of the mountain trail racing project. Since 2009, mountain trail racing competitions have been held in places such as Zhejiang, Heilongjiang, and Guizhou. This competition will take place in mid-April and marks the first national-level event held in a highland region for this sport. The race route is located at the foot of the Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yulong Naxi Autonomous County, Yunnan, with the starting point in Yuhu Village, Baisha Township—the largest and most representative Naxi cultural village. The longest route is the men’s vertical kilometer race, spanning 20 kilometers with an accumulated elevation gain of about 2,000 meters; the women’s vertical kilometer course is 17 kilometers long with an accumulated elevation gain of about 1,500 meters, and the hill climb race is 5 kilometers with an elevation gain of around 700 meters.
The competition will last two days, with a total prize purse of 100,000 RMB. Athletes will compete in high-altitude areas ranging from 2,700 to 3,400 meters above sea level. The event features five categories: men’s and women’s divisions, as well as team divisions for both the vertical kilometer and hill climb races, with teams consisting of five members in a 3:2 male-to-female ratio. Participants are required to have good physical fitness and some mountaineering experience, and registration will be open to the public. The gear required by athletes is relatively simple and suitable for all types of participants, including a 20-liter or larger backpack, a hydration bladder of 0.75 liters or more, a windbreaker, mountain trail running shoes, trail running attire or sportswear (preferably long-sleeved shirts and long pants), a hiking helmet, trekking poles, sunglasses, fingerless gloves, knee pads, and elbow pads. According to the event’s technical officials, the mountain trail race challenges participants in strategic planning and the efficient distribution of energy during ascent and descent sections. The route design will also carefully consider the proportion of different terrain types—such as climbs, descents, flat sections, and aid stations—to ensure an exciting and competitive event while maintaining safety.