Over 4,800 runners tackle Lingjiu Mountain trail race in Quzhou

The 2026 Quzhou Lingjiu Mountain 168 Ancient Road Ultra Trail drew a record 4,842 runners to Quzhou, Zhejiang province.

A total of 6,492 people registered. The 168-kilometer category started on Oct 23, with the other five categories — 110, 60, 40, 25, and 15 km — kicking off on Oct 24 from Feihong Shenwang Valley scenic area in Jiuhua township, Kecheng district.

Organizers said the new 168-km category is the first trail race of this distance in China to be held under the guidance of the China Mountaineering Association.

The course crossed Kecheng and Qujiang districts as well as Changshan county, linking six tourist attractions, 10 townships and subdistricts, and more than 30 ancient villages. It took runners past mountain trails, terraced fields, streams, and historic streets.

Runners approach a tunnel on a forested section of the trail race course. [Photo/Tide News]

Chen Lin, the women's 100-km champion in the 2023 and 2024 editions, entered the 40-km category this year. She said she wanted to slow down and enjoy the route.

Organizers upgraded course arrangements, medical support, volunteer services, and aid stations. Twenty ambulances were on duty along the course, and aid points served local specialties.

The event also incorporated Quzhou's Southern Confucianism culture, martial arts traditions, and intangible cultural heritage, with activities taking some runners to local historic sites.

Now in its ninth edition, the race is part of the city's efforts to boost local tourism through trail running.