This week, trail-running fans are treated to another super weekend. The 2026 The North Face Emei Mountain Trail Challenge fired the starting gun in Leshan; last weekend was Quest Week, and this weekend is Summit Week. Compared with Quest Week, Summit Week features longer distances, stiffer challenges, richer prize money, and fiercer competition among the elite runners.
Let's take a look at how Summit Week's races unfolded.
The Peak 102 km category fired the starting gun yesterday afternoon, and the men's winner crossed the line in the early hours today. He is Yang Jianjian from Guizhou, with a time of 11:31:59.
During the race, Yang Jianjian only moved into the lead at CP9 Wancun and then led all the way to win the title. (There is actually some controversy over his victory,but according to the Chinese Mountaineering Association rules, no penalty was imposed)
Before CP9, the race had been led by Gu Rongchao, who at one point built up nearly a 20-minute lead, but over time was gradually caught and overtaken by Yang Jianjian; he nevertheless finished second with a time of 11:39:08.
They were the only two athletes to finish within 12 hours. Luo Ya took third, with a time of 12:40:46.
On the women's side, the race was much tighter. At CP2 Qingyin Pavilion, the gaps between Jiang Wenli, Chen Lin and Zheng Wenrong were small. After that, the race turned into a duel between Chen Lin and Zheng Wenrong.
Zheng Wenrong reached CP6 Jinding (Golden Summit) first and was in the lead, but his lead was small. By CP7 Hetao Dam, Chen Lin had overtaken Zheng Wenrong. It wasn't until CP12 Guo'er Dang Tea Garden that Zheng Wenrong regained the lead and ultimately won the race, finishing in 14:23:08.
Chen Lin finished second in 14:31:34. Liu Jianhua finished third in 14:56:15.
The 75 km category started yesterday at 2:00 PM and saw the men's winner cross the line in the early hours. Zhang Hongfu, from Guang'an in Sichuan, took the victory in 9 hours 20 minutes 30 seconds. He faced no major challenges throughout the race, leading for almost the entire distance.
Liu Liang and Wang Jiqian finished second and third in the men's race, with times of 9 hours 56 minutes 46 seconds and 9 hours 59 minutes 34 seconds, respectively — both under 10 hours.
In the women's race it was also one-sided, with American athlete Ruby Lindquist led from the start and steadily increased her advantage, ultimately taking the win in 10 hours 27 minutes 55 seconds, finishing fifth overall. Ruby used to be a 3000m steeplechase runner before switching to trail running; last year she represented the United States at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, finishing 11th in the short-distance category.
An Qin took second in the women's race with a time of 11 hours 05 minutes 55 seconds. Yang Xiaoxia finished third with a time of 11 hours 32 minutes 09 seconds.
The 50 category set off at 5:00 AM today. Zi Juwei was in the lead early on, reaching CP2 Qingyin Pavilion in 1 hour 44 minutes, with Qin Guidu and Wang Shijun close behind. After that, Zi Juwei slowed, Yang Zhengxu moved up to first, and Qin Guidu was second.
By CP4 Jiulinggang, Yang Zhengxu's lead had grown to 3 minutes. At the race's critical moment, Qin Guidu began to counterattack; by CP6 Jinding he was only 11 seconds behind Yang Zhengxu. Who would take the title remained very much in doubt.
After Jinding, Qin Guidu showed impressive late-race strength; by the time he reached CP7 Hetao Ba he was already more than a minute in front. He ultimately won with a time of 5 hours 45 minutes 41 seconds.
Yang Zhengxu finished second with a time of 5 hours 50 minutes 46 seconds. Li Guorong was third, clocking 5 hours 58 minutes 13 seconds. All three broke the 6-hour mark.
On the women's side, Zhang Xianfeng led for almost the entire race and ultimately won in 7 hours 10 minutes 5 seconds. Wan Lun and Wu Jie took second and third, with times of 7 hours 14 minutes 36 seconds and 7 hours 26 minutes 49 seconds, respectively.
In the Peak 27 km category, the men's title was claimed by Liu Zhisen with a time of 3:29:22. Second and third were Wang Guolong and Nianzhe Ati, with times of 3:30:40 and 3:43:29 respectively. Luo Ping won the women's title in 4:33:49.
