China News Service, September 29. According to the event organizer, the 2026 China Mountain Horse Cross-Country Series and the First Jiyuan Mountain Cross-Country (Hiking) Conference and National Hiking Conference (Jiyuan Station, Henan) started with a gunshot at Wangwushan Daojing Square. More than 2,000 runners from 22 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities across the country gathered for the cross-country journey.
The game scene. Photo provided by the organizer
At 9 a.m. on the 27th, the starting gun sounded, and more than 2,000 runners rushed forward like a tide, instantly merging into the lush green mountains and forests. This event continues the core core of "Running to the Mountains, the Extraordinary Road", using the "Taihang Landscape and Humanities Corridor" as the track design concept, deeply connecting the Wangwudong Tiansheng Scenic Spot and the Taihang Forest Sea Secret Realm, and setting up a 42-kilometer group, a 21-kilometer group and a 10-kilometer group.
Among them, the 42-kilometer group starts from the "No. 1 Cave in the World" archway in Wangwushan Daojing Square, passing by the Yugong Yishan Statue, Peach Blossom Mountain, Ying'en Palace, Ziwei Lake, and the thousand-year-old ginkgo biloba. It climbs up the Temple of Heaven God Road, passes through the Erxian Temple, the God of Wealth Temple, and the Lingguan Hall, and reaches the top of the Temple of Heaven. The track then cuts into the Taihang Mountain National Forest Trail, passing through the Jiuyang Bell Temple, Queen Mother Cave, Millennium Yew Tree, and passing through the Yaowang Cave Tunnel, completing the geographical span from Wangwu Mountain to Taihang Mountain. This is the only track in the National Mountain Horse Cross-Country Series that can cross the two historical mountains of Taihang and Wangwu in one day.
The 21-kilometer group intercepts the core and best sections of the 42-kilometer group, taking into account competitive challenges and viewing experiences; the 10-kilometer group route is gentle and stretched, allowing cross-country novices and families to immerse themselves in the mountains and enjoy the natural beauty. The entire track covers diverse road conditions such as hardened roads, stone steps, dirt roads, and native forest trails.
The game scene. Photo provided by the organizer
After several hours of fierce battle, the rankings of each group were announced: Xiong Zhengqiang from Guizhou won the first place in the 42km men's group in 3 hours, 29 minutes and 8 seconds, and Jia Yujiao from Qingdao, Shandong won the 42nd place in 4 hours, 13 minutes and 33 seconds. The first place in the kilometer women's group; Liu Chao from Zaozhuang, Shandong, won the first place in the 21-kilometer men's group in 1 hour, 46 minutes and 40 seconds, and Long Yueting from Jincheng, Shanxi won the first place in the 21-kilometer women's group in 2 hours, 9 minutes and 47 seconds.
Xiong Zhengqiang, who won the 42-kilometer men's championship, deeply felt the hard-core challenges and ultimate scenery of this track. He said that the total climb of 2,751 meters was very challenging. The steep slopes required both hands and feet to climb with all one's strength. But when he reached the top of the Temple of Heaven and overlooked the green mountains and the majestic sea of clouds, all the fatigue of the trek disappeared and a sense of accomplishment emerged spontaneously.
The perfect and considerate event services also make players who come from afar feel warm. Jia Yujiao was full of praise for the full guarantee, "The track has sufficient supplies, intensive medical stations, meticulous and heart-warming services from the staff and volunteers, and all-round caring protection, so that we can ride with peace of mind and race at our best."
This event is hosted by the China Mountaineering Association and the Jiyuan Industry-City Integration Demonstration Zone Management Committee, hosted by the Education and Sports Bureau of the Jiyuan Industry-City Integration Demonstration Zone, and is exclusively operated by Sports Media Group Co., Ltd. (over)
