${message}
Back
The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) is proud to announce that the 2026 Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships (APTRC) will take place from 12th to 15th November 2026 in Wuyishan, Fujian Province, China. Renowned for its timeless landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and centuries-old trails, Wuyishan offers an unforgettable stage for the region’s most prestigious trail running event.
Following the successful debut of the championships in Ulju, South Korea, in 2024, the second edition of the APTRC will once again unite the top trail runners from across the Asia Pacific region. Athletes will compete for individual and team titles and a coveted overall cup, highlighting both personal excellence and national pride.
Nestled in the Fujian Provence in southeastern China, Wuyishan is one of the country’s most treasured regions, a UNESCO dual World Heritage Site for both its natural wonders and cultural significance. Known as a spiritual and ecological haven, Wuyishan is home to stunning Danxia landforms, dense subtropical forests, and the crystal-clear Nine-Bend Stream, which winds through dramatic red cliffs and ancient rock inscriptions. These lands boast a forest coverage rate of over 96%, making them one of China’s most biodiverse areas.
But Wuyishan is not only a feast for the senses, it’s a deep well of cultural heritage. It is often referred to as the “Southern cradle of Confucianism,” having nurtured the Neo-Confucian scholar Zhu Xi, and it is a rare place where Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism harmoniously coexist on the same mountain. Visitors encounter everything from cliffside temples and ancient academies to the legendary Da Hong Pao tea trees, revered as a symbol of Chinese tea culture.
“This is more than a race - it’s a continuation of culture and poetry,” says Andrea Yuan, Co-Race Director of the APTRC 2026 and founder of the Grand Wuyi Trail Race. “We hope to show the world China’s millennia of culture and Wuyishan’s natural wonders. Through this race, we tell the unique story of trail running in the language of China, making Wuyishan the world’s top ‘Oriental Trail Running’ destination.”
Participation is reserved for each country or territory’s highest-ranked athletes, selected based on their ITRA Performance Index (ITRA PI). The official Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships 2026 website will launch in October 2025 in both English and Chinese languages.
In addition to the championship races, the public will be invited to participate in the Grand Wuyi Trail Race, which features a variety of distances and welcomes runners from across the world. This provides an inclusive opportunity for all levels to experience the magic of Wuyishan.
The 2026 event is co-hosted by the Fujian Provincial Sports Bureau, the People’s Government of Nanping City, and ITRA, and is organized by the People’s Government of Wuyishan City. Brand operations for the event are led by Xiamen Ruixing Culture Development Co., Ltd., a pioneer in China’s deep cultural outdoor experiences.
The Grand Wuyi Trail Race, created by the company, was recognized in 2025 with the “Global Awards for World Heritage Education Innovative Cases,” presented by the UNESCO World Heritage Institute of Training and Research for the Asia and the Pacific Region (WHITRAP). This expertise will bring rich local cultural expression and innovative race experiences to APTRC 2026.
Together, they aim to create a world-class event that embodies both high-level athleticism and the soul of the region.
The Grand Wuyi Trail Race, which will celebrate its 11th edition in 2026, has become a hallmark of Eastern trail running. It is guided by the vision: “Poetic Trails, A Homecoming for the Heart in Wuyi.” Race Co-Directors Andrea Yuan and Mingcheng Gong, both longtime community leaders and accomplished athletes, bring unparalleled experience and passion to the event.
Janet Ng, President of ITRA, expressed her excitement about the upcoming championship: “I am delighted that the 2nd edition of the Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships will be hosted in Wuyishan, China. The best athletes in Asia Pacific will be competing, demonstrating to the world their trail running ability and playing their part in a celebration of our sport in the region. I am certain that the local organisation committee, with their passion for trail running and proven experience in delivering world class events, will present us with another unforgettable edition.
Copyright @ 2002 - 2025 ITRA, All Rights Reserved