2026 Xiamen by UTMB 50K — Yang Jianjian and Varvara win men's and…

At 7:30 AM on March 14,the season-opening race in mainland China of the UTMB World Series —the 50 km category of the 2026 Zhanma Xiamen (Tongan) Trail Race by UTMB started at Fantian Cultural Square. The course measured 50.7 km with 2,317 meters of cumulative ascent.

This year is the second year the Xiamen Trail Race has been part of the by UTMB series. In the men's 50 km field, last year's champion Yang Jianjian is aiming to defend his title,Last year's 100 km champion Silang Duoji has moved down to the 50K this year; also
Batmengkai (ITRA 897), Wu Erqing (ITRA 890), 19-year-old Shi Guo — who took third in the 50K at this year's Hong Kong 100 — and Zi Juwei, who finished fourth in the 2024 UTMB OCC,and Tian Peng, third at the 2025 Da Shudao 100, will all be in contention.

On the women's side, led by Huang Xuemei, her rivals include last year's 100 km championLi Ying,2025 Chaigutangs 50K champion Varvara Shikanova,2026 Black Canyon 100K 14th placeTang Jingyan, among others. Last year's champion Xiang Fuzhao will miss the race due to a foot injury.

After the start, the men’s lead group quickly reached CP1 Silin Village, with Yang Jianjian, Shi Guo, Tian Peng, Zi Juwei, Wu Erqing and Batemengkai running together; Silang Duoji arrived about half a minute later. On the women’s side, Huang Xuemei, Varvara, Zhang Sheng’s girlfriend Wang Dayu, Li Ying and Tang Jingyan checked in one after another.

Yang Jianjian and Zi Juwei arrived at CP2 Zhengzhai together, followed by Shi Guo, Tian Peng, Yang Tao and Duoji. Varvara and Huang Xuemei checked in close behind each other; Tang Jingyan was third, about 3.5 minutes behind Huang.

At CP4 Huaqiao Farm the situation changed. Yang Jianjian remained in the lead, while Yang Tao moved up to second, with Shi Guo and Duoji close behind; Zi Juwei had fallen to fifth. Varvara had extended her lead to 10 minutes, with Huang Xuemei and Tang Jingyan in second and third.

Yang Jianjian and Yang Tao checked in at CP5 in Sanxiu Village one after the other, while Duoji and Tian Peng moved up to third and fourth.Varvara continues to lead.

As the race neared the finish, Yang Jianjian was first back to Silin Village to check in at CP6, with Yang Tao less than two minutes behind. Tian Peng opened up a 5½-minute gap on Duoji at the check-in.

In the end, Yang Jianjian held CP2's advantage to the finish, finishing in 04:18:56 to win the men's title and successfully defend it. Equally adept on road and trail, Yang Tao 04:23:06 took second, Tian Peng finished in 04:30:08 totake third.

Varvara took the lead at CP3 and stayed in front all the way, finishing in 05:01:01 to win the women's title.

Huang Xuemei finished in 05:18:59, taking second place. Li Ying finished in 05:26:03, placing third. Tang Jingyan finished fourth.

Text: Meng Meng / Editor:Meng Meng

Images:Trail Running Big Bang / Visuals: Five YearsTrainee

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2026 Xiamen by UTMB 50K — Yang Jianjian and Varvara win men's and women's titles; Huang Xuemei second