The lottery results for the 2026 Chaigutangs Kua Cang Trail Race have been officially announced. First, congratulations to the runners who secured a spot; those who didn't, don't be discouraged — now that the results are out, why not take a look at just how intense the competition was this year?

Let’s look at the big picture: this year there were 20815 valid public entries, plus 541 direct-entry runners. (That’s an increase of 270 from last year’s 20548 entries, but last year had 1123 direct entries.)

The total number of lottery entries was 24666; in the end only 5304 people were lucky enough to secure a spot, for an overall draw rate of just 21.5% (in 2025, excluding the 120 winners of the tenth-anniversary T³G Grand Slam group, the other three groups had 4380 winners, for an overall draw rate of 21.8%).

Because this year each athlete could only register for one category, the total number of winning places was ultimately reduced by 804, which seems reasonable.

But did you notice a question? Why is the total number of lottery entries higher than the total number of registrants this year?

That brings us to the new lottery rule introduced this year:

Any competitor who finishes any one of the 2026 Xiongmao Shudao Mountain Super Trail Race, the Chaigutangs Langlangtan Cross‑Country Race, or the Huangyan Jiufeng Trail Masters will have their name added to the lottery pool one extra time (i.e., their chance of being drawn is doubled); if they finish all three events, their chance of being drawn will be quadrupled.

Having covered the big picture, let’s look at each category:
2026 105K category
Applicants: 1652; Drawn: 1484
Draw rate: 89.8%

2025 105K category
Applicants: 2215; Drawn: 990
Draw rate: 44.7%
 
2026 50K category
Applicants: 7417; Drawn: 1816
Draw rate: 24.5%

2025 50K category
Applicants: 7133; Drawn: 1680
Draw rate: 23.6%
 
2026 25K category
11205 applicants, 2004 selected.
Selection rate was 17.9%, the lowest of the three categories.

2025 25K category
9836 applicants, 1710 selected.
Selection rate was 17.4%.

In the 105K category this year the selection rate reached 89.8% — almost a "sign up and you're in" situation; for 100K specialists, luck may be just the icing on the cake.

In the 50K category the number of selected entrants increased by 136, and the selection rate rose by 0.9%.

However, the 25K category remains in "hell mode" — only one lucky person out of every five.

That said, if you are one of the 21.5% struck by luck, being selected is only the starting point — finishing safely is the real finish. Prepare well, and see you on the course.

If you regret not being selected, don't be discouraged — sign up again next year; maybe the next ticket will be yours!