XTERRA Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Trail Run in “Avatar Mountains” Award Zhu & Cheng in Marathon, Wu & Stuck in Half Marathon

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ZHANGJIAJIE, CHINA — The XTERRA Trail Run World Series made its landmark debut in the iconic landscapes of Zhangjiajie’s Wulingyuan Scenic Area, welcoming 2,000 athletes from 27 countries and regions for its first-ever international trail run event in the UNESCO World Heritage site, held on October 26-27, 2024. 

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The challenging terrain and dramatic sandstone pillars reminiscent of the widely popular Avatar film franchise set the stage, with Zhu Long Fei (CHN) winning the women’s 48.5K Marathon and Cheng Yu Chao (CHN) securing the men’s title. In the 27.5K Half Marathon, Wu Xiao Yu (CHN) led the women and Yoann Stuck (FRA) was victorious in the men’s race. 

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Global trail runners took on rocky climbs and winding paths that wove through the awe-inspiring “Avatar Mountains,” where every twist of the course revealed a new landscape. The Marathon and Half Marathon courses offered a combined 232 qualifying slots for the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Snowdonia, Wales, scheduled for July 12-13 at Eryri National Park. The inaugural XTERRA Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan Trail Run demanded technical skill while offering a visual and cultural spectacle to create an immersive XTERRA experience for runners and spectators.

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Beyond the races, the weekend strengthened community bonds and established a deeper connection to nature. Participants immersed themselves in local traditions and environmental initiatives, such as tree planting and X-Plogging cleanups. Meanwhile, live music, art showcases, and regional festivities enriched the festival atmosphere, blending sport with cultural exchange and ecological awareness.

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Course Rundown

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From seasoned athletes to families seeking a fun outdoor adventure, participants chose from three distances, including the 10K Trail Run. Friends, new trail enthusiasts, and families with children embraced the lighter challenge, enjoying sunny skies and the welcoming atmosphere. Local villagers cheered runners on, adding to the region’s warm, community spirit.

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27.5K Half Marathon

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The Half Marathon guided runners through a combination of natural landscapes within the UNESCO World Heritage site. Featuring a total elevation gain of 1,600+ meters, the course included singletrack trails, technical rocky climbs, and steep downhill sections. Aimed at intermediate and advanced runners, the race provided an opportunity to experience unique terrain, challenging participants' endurance and offering unmatched views.

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48.5K Trail Marathon

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The Full Marathon led seasoned trail runners deeper into the heart of Zhangjiajie National Forest Park. The course combined newly opened paths with older trails and had a total elevation gain of 2,400+ meters. Participants navigated dense singletrack sections on the forest floor, along with multiple rocky ascents and descents. Characterized by significant elevation changes and rugged terrain, this race was one of the more challenging events in the XTERRA Trail Run World Series, testing the limits of experienced runners while being carefully designed to emphasize a fully immersive experience in the natural landscape.

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Full Marathon Recap

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The women's race saw Zhu Long Fei (CHN) leading the pack, who finished the race in 6:22:25. Reflecting on her unexpected victory, she shared:

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"I didn’t realize I was in first place; I always thought I was second. A couple of friends kept telling me I was leading, but I didn’t believe them at first. My strategy was to rely on my strength in the downhill sections, and I had planned to go full speed toward the end where the terrain suited me better. That approach helped me finish strong and maintain a good pace to the end."

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Following closely was Xie Hua Ying (CHN) with a time of 6:27:20, and Deng Yu Juan (CHN) securing third place in 6:47:33. Marie Vergnes (FRA) took fourth place, finishing in 6:54:22, while Chou Yi Chun (TPE) completed the top five with a time of 6:59:14.

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Top 5 Trail Marathon - Women

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1. Zhu Long Fei (朱龙飞) – 6:22:25 (CHN)

2. Xie Hua Ying (谢华英) – 6:27:19 (CHN)

3. Deng Yu Juan (邓玉娟) – 6:47:25 (CHN)

4. Marie Vergnes – 6:54:17 (FRA)

5. Chou Yi Chun (周怡君) – 6:59:12 (TPE)

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The men's race was equally compelling among the top runners. Cheng Yu Chao (CHN) claimed victory with a time of 5:27:35. Sharing his experience, he said:

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"I found this course really technical and more challenging than I expected, but I loved it. It was my first time in Zhangjiajie, and my first race here, so discovering the natural beauty made it all worth it. After the second segment of the race, I took the lead and held it all the way to the finish. I'm from Hangzhou City, where I’m the founder and leader of a trail running club, and I really enjoyed the challenge of racing on these older, less-traveled paths through difficult terrain. I’ll definitely be back next time.”

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In second place was Zhang Tao (CHN), who completed the race in 5:40:45. Chung Yi Lin (TPE) secured third place with a time of 5:46:47. Close behind were Yang Guang Long (CHN) at 5:47:23 and Dai Yong (CHN) finishing in 5:55:08, rounding out the top five.

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Top 5 Trail Marathon - Men

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1. Cheng Yu Chao (程宇超) – 5:27:34 (CHN)

2. Zhang Tao (张涛) – 5:40:45 (CHN)

3. Chung Yi Lin (钟易霖) – 5:46:43 (TPE)

4. Yang Guang Long (杨光隆) – 5:47:16 (CHN)

5. Dai Yong (代勇) – 5:55:08 (CHN)

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Full Results Here. 

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Half Marathon Recap

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The women's Half Marathon race witnessed Wu Xiao Yu (CHN) completing the course in 3:54:10. Reflecting on her race, she shared:

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"The course is absolutely beautiful, with stunning landscapes that make it enjoyable for both runners and spectators. The total elevation gain wasn’t too demanding and within my limits. I knew I could push myself hard and finish strong. It turned out to be less tough than I initially expected."

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Close behind her was Chen Qi (CHN), finishing in 4:02:13, and Chang Wan Fang (TPE) securing third place with a time of 4:04:57. Zou Yao (CHN) came in fourth at 4:19:25, followed by Isabel Claire Ayton (GBR) who completed the top five with a time of 4:20:08. 

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Top 5 Half Marathon - Women

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1. Wu Xiao Yu (吴晓玉) – 3:54:06 (CHN)

2. Chen Qi (陈奇) – 4:02:13 (CHN)

3. Chang Wan Fang (张琬芳) – 4:04:46 (TPE)

4. Zou Yao (邹瑶) – 4:18:55 (CHN)

5. Isabel Claire Ayton – 4:19:24 (GBR)

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In the men's Half Marathon, Yoann Stuck (FRA) delivered an outstanding performance representing an international community of trail runners from Australia, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Philippines, Russia, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, South Korea, Slovakia, South Africa, Mexico, Singapore, Colombia, New Zealand, Poland, Malaysia, Belarus, and Spain. He finished first with a time of 2:46:21 and expressed his enthusiasm for the race:

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"I tackled the long uphill first, and after that, everything felt just right. The people along the way were amazing, cheering me on every time I passed; it was such a great experience. 

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This XTERRA race was perfect for me, probably my best race ever. Everything felt right from start to finish, and the views were absolutely breathtaking. I aimed to finish in under three hours, and I did, which made it even more rewarding. Running here is tough, but the effort is worth it; the scenery makes it all worthwhile.

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For anyone thinking about coming here, the locals are incredibly kind, and you can really feel their warmth. This place is great not just for races but also for holidays—perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, runners, and active travelers."

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Finishing second was Lei Xin (CHN) with a time of 3:25:15. Hanno Karweit (DEU) claimed third place in 3:36:30. Cai Yijun (CHN) finished fourth at 3:55:33, and Kevin Ducerf (FRA) rounded out the top five with a time of 4:01:54. 

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Top 5 Half Marathon - Men

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1. Yoann Stuck – 2:46:21 (FRA)

2. Lei Xin (雷鑫) – 3:25:07 (CHN)

3. Hanno Karweit – 3:36:27 (DEU)

4. Cai Yi Jun (蔡易君) – 3:55:24 (TPE)

5. Kevin Ducerf – 4:01:49 (FRA)

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Complete results here. 

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Immersion of Culture and Community

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The event embraced the theme, "More Than a Trail," to provide a uniquely authentic experience that went beyond racing. On full display was Zhangjiajie Wulingyuan’s rich cultural heritage and community hospitality. Athletes and spectators connected with the diverse traditions of the Tujia, Bai, and Miao ethnic groups, who comprise 77% of the local population. They engaged in traditional customs, sampled local cuisine, and experienced artistic expressions that blended the old with the new. 

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Festivities kicked off with the Athlete's Night on October 26, featuring live performances from an eclectic array of talented musicians, dancers, and designers. Rap, classical, and jazz pieces by the Zhangjiajie Philharmonic Orchestra, ethnic rock with Tujia elements, modern pop-jazz bands, and DJ sets featured Chinese-inspired music. 

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A major highlight was an art installation that drew inspiration from the region's evolution over millions of years. It guided attendees through stages starting with tiny rocks and soil drifting into the ocean, moving to the initial formation of mountains, and culminating with the distinctive pine trees that grow directly from the rocks. These trees not only thrive on the rugged terrain but also contribute to shaping it, symbolizing the interconnectedness of nature.

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It invited visitors to ponder questions about the origins of humanity and the transformations of nature, highlighting the interplay between land, life, and evolution. The experience showed how human stories unfold within these landscapes, exemplified by narratives like the father-and-son journey featured in the latest X-Discovery film. 

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Since 2019, over 25,000 trees have been planted in the Gobi Desert of Inner Mongolia, one for each XTERRA event participant over the past 5 years in China. This initiative reflects a global commitment to environmental conservation and reforestation. Additionally, more than 40 local cities have engaged in X-Plogging, blending trail running with environmental cleanup to promote sustainable practices.

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The festival was a fusion of cultural exchange, environmental awareness, and community engagement. Participants and spectators contributed to a festival atmosphere that celebrated the importance of preserving the environment and fostered a sense of global camaraderie among the trail running community.

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Event highlights and updates are available on the XTERRA Trail Run Instagram account, while previews and recaps from this iconic location can be found by subscribing to the XTERRA YouTube channel.

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