The 2012 Wisecup Hangzhou West Lake Trail Run is just around the corner, and its new philosophy is even more exciting to look forward to
The annual Wisecup Hangzhou West Lake Trail Run will officially kick off on November 10.
As one of the earlier trail running events in China, the enthusiasm for the Wisecup Trail Run is evident from how quickly registration filled up—spots were gone within just half a day. Despite venue capacity constraints, the organizers managed to increase the participant limit to 350, up 50 from last year.
In addition to growing interest, this year’s event features adjusted philosophies and methods, emphasizing health and sharing over the race itself—there will be no aid stations along the course.
Based on experience from previous trail runs, faster runners typically complete the 28-kilometer course in just over two hours, requiring about 700 milliliters of water; most participants finish within three to four hours, consuming roughly 1 to 2 liters. Therefore, by removing aid stations, the organizers aim to promote a trail running culture where enthusiasts can run for 2–3 hours without relying on frequent hydration.
“Additionally, every time we go running in the mountains, we find lots of food wrappers and plastic bottles, which cause significant harm to the natural environment. We also hope this encourages everyone to run in an eco-friendly way—athletes are advised to bring their own water and carry empty bottles back to the city for proper disposal.” To ensure participants feel well taken care of, as in previous years, the start and finish areas will offer a variety of food and refreshments. “I believe providing hot corn porridge at the finish line is something many other races don’t do,” said organizer Xiao Luo.
Focusing on “sharing” and “fun.” Before the race, the organizers held several unique sharing sessions for runners, inviting veteran athletes to discuss topics such as natural running, sports supplements, and trail running gear—offering more opportunities for interaction beyond the competition.
The Wisecup Hangzhou West Lake Trail Run is one of the earlier trail running events in China. Thanks to its influence, participation in trail running has been steadily increasing, sparking a growing trail running trend. This year’s subtle changes in cultural approach and game rules make the November event even more anticipated.