Over the past decade, trail running in China has grown at a speed beyond expectations.
Just in2025 alone, there were over 300 nationwide events of 25 km or longer; including short-distance training races the total has surpassed 800, with a starting gun sounding almost every weekend.
However, behind the rapid advance, a lax, haphazard streak has gradually emerged.—some events have no mandatory medical check-ups, compulsory gear requirements exist in name only, the actual course and published route differ greatly, signage is missing or chaotic...
Event resources are habitually directed towardthe "visible" façade—start/finish setup, race promotion, registration systems, CP point supplies, etc.;while selectively neglecting the details that truly affect runner safety and long-term experience.
On one hand is the surge in the number of events; on the other is thelack of event standardsthat leaves runners' race experiences feeling like opening a blind box.
The hills don't turn anyone away, and races shouldn't let any runner down.What the industry lacks has never been more races, but rather every race being safer, more standardized, and of higher quality.
Against this backdrop,KOLON SPORT Kelong, together with China Business Network, initiated.“the "China Trail Running Race Quality and Runner Experience"”surveyand in particular teamed up withTrail runningWe've released a questionnaire and sincerely invitetrail running enthusiaststo join us in participating——
Scan the QR code or click at the end of the article“Read Original” to fill out the questionnaire, and join us in helping create better Chinese trail races!
Your honestraceexperience,your sincere suggestions,your“definition”of a good race— will all be carefully recorded,condensed to become acontributing forcein upgrading the quality of Chinese trail races.
This year，isthe Ninghai Trail ChallengeKicked off with Kelonan in-depth five-year title-sponsorship partnership— the first year.This race, hailed by the international trail community asthe "Diamond Course,"has alreadygrown from an initial79-runner start into6500a top domestic trail-racing venue at a large-participant scale。
And for a brand long committed to"re-activating the connection between people and nature" and exploring "Your Best Way to Nature", Kelon,the partnership with Ninghaiis preciselyrooted in the two parties'sharedcommitment to high-quality race operations, respect for the mountains and wilderness, and valuing runners' authentic experiencein these areas,a philosophythatis highly aligned.
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Prior to this, KeLong had been the title sponsor of the Donghai Yunding Trail Race for four consecutive years,andpioneered commercial trail racing in Chinaevents—taking the lead on "zero-carbon race" organization—from the use of materials to race execution, implementingend-to-end carbon-reduction measures,furtherusing carbon offset transactions to neutralize the event's emissions, placingthe "leave-no-trace" philosophy into every organizational detail and providing the industry with a replicable model for green race operations.
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This time, KeLong moved beyond merely sponsoring racesfrom theperspective of a sponsor, partnering with Yicai to launch an industry survey and handing the microphone to runners to hear their real voices,both to provide deep insights for its long-term cooperation with the Ninghai Trail Challenge,and to offer valuable reference for the industry's sustainable development, ultimatelyhelping push domestic trail running toward more standardized, higher-quality development.
In the comments section, share the trail race experience that impressed you most and attach a screenshot of your submitted questionnaire,Paoye will randomly select10 people to receive a KeLong folding mini stool (deadline 9.30).
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[End-of-article interaction]
#Tell us about the trail race that left the deepest impression on you#
Text/Editor: ECHO
Image source: Paoye Dabaozha
Visuals: Max
