Description

First held in 2018, the 6th edition of the Huanglong Ultra Endurance Race will take place from July 3–6, 2025.

This iconic race is set against the backdrop of the Huanglong Scenic and Historic Interest Area, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. The route weaves together Huanglong, Jiuzhaigou’s hidden Seven-Treasure Valley, Xuebaoding (the main peak of the Min Mountains, elevation 5,588 meters), Songzhou Ancient City, and sections of the historic Tea-Horse Road. It offers a breathtaking fusion of alpine landscapes, colorful travertine pools, glacial lakes, waterfalls, dense forests, canyons, streams, temples, villages, and ethnic cultural sites.

Located in Songpan County, Aba Prefecture, Sichuan Province, the race sits on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, roughly 300 kilometers from Chengdu. As the source of the Min River—an essential waterway for the Chengdu Plain—Songpan is rich in natural and cultural heritage. With over 2,300 years of administrative history and a city wall dating back more than 1,300 years to the Tang Dynasty (618 AD), Songzhou has long served as a strategic frontier town in western China. Its position at the crossroads of Tibetan, Qiang, Hui, and Han communities has shaped a vibrant and uniquely multi-ethnic cultural identity.

The Huanglong–Munigou–Jiuzhaigou route was selected for two consecutive years (2018–2019) as one of the “Top 10 Sports Tourism Routes in China” by the China Sports Tourism Expo.

In 2024, the 5th edition of the race was recognized as a National Model for Cultural-Tourism Integration in Scenic Areas (Culture + Sports). Four categories were offered—MJTS70km (Mystic Trail Exploration), XBD50km (Xuebaoding Summit Trail), CMGD35km (Ancient Tea-Horse Road), and MHSZ15km (Dreaming of Songzhou)—designed to accommodate different experience levels. All categories filled within one week of registration opening. The race expanded from 500 runners in 2023 to 1,800 in 2024.

In 2025, the race continues to build its brand and refine its format, with updated route planning and four official race categories:

• MJTS70km – Mystic Trail Exploration

• XBD50km – Xuebaoding Summit Trail

• CMGD30km – Ancient Tea-Horse Road

• MHSZ15km – Dreaming of Songzhou

Event details and schedule

Event Dates: July 3–6, 2025
Event Location: Huanglong National Scenic Area & Songzhou Ancient City, Songpan County, Sichuan Province, China

Course Info

1. MHSZ 15km – Dreaming of Songzhou

• Distance: 14.07 km

• Race Date: July 5, 2025

• Elevation Range: 2,842 – 3,489 m

• Total Ascent: 680 m

• Total Descent: 680 m

• Cut-Off Time: 4 hours

• ITRA Points: 0

   

2. CMGD 30km – Ancient Tea-Horse Road

• Distance: 31.54 km

• Race Date: July 5, 2025

• Elevation Range: 2,842 – 3,572 m

• Total Ascent: 1,544 m

• Total Descent: 1,544 m

• Cut-Off Time: 9 hours

• ITRA Points: 1

3. XBD 50km – Xuebaoding Summit Trail

• Distance: 48.45 km

• Race Date: July 6, 2025

• Elevation Range: 2,842 – 4,433 m

• Total Ascent: 2,442 m

• Total Descent: 2,758 m

• Cut-Off Time: 15 hours

• ITRA Points: 2

4. MJTS 70km – Mystic Trail Exploration

• Distance: 70.42 km

• Race Date: July 6, 2025

• Elevation Range: 2,842 – 4,433 m

• Total Ascent: 3,595 m

• Total Descent: 3,595 m

• Cut-Off Time: 19 hours

• ITRA Points: 3

   

What to Bring – Participant Gear Checklist

✅ Mandatory Gear (All Participants Must Carry)

May vary slightly by race category – check your group’s gear list.

• Race Bib & Timing Chip

• GPS Tracker (provided at check-in for some categories; deposit required)

• Windproof & Waterproof Jacket (taped seams, no leather)

• Insulating Midlayer (≥300g – wool, fleece, or down)

• Insulated/Windproof Long Pants

• Hat with Ear Coverage (fleece or wool)

• Full Finger Insulated Gloves (waterproof recommended)

• UV-Protective Sunglasses (snow-blindness protection)

• Fully Charged Mobile Phone

• Power Bank (≥5000mAh or 10000mAh, depending on group)

• Navigation Device (GPX-enabled phone or GPS watch)

• Headlamp or Flashlight (1 or 2, depending on category)

• Backup Headlamp or Flashlight (for longer courses)

• Emergency Thermal Blanket (1–2 per group requirements)

• Emergency Whistle

• Sealable Trash Bag (for personal waste)

• Basic First Aid Kit (bandages, antiseptic, Q-tips, etc.)

• Hydration System (≥1L; no single-use bottles)

• Refillable Container (≥100ml for hot drinks or soup at aid stations)

• Emergency Food Supply (≥500 kcal, for on-course use)

🌟 Recommended Gear

(Not mandatory, but highly advised)

• Trekking Poles

• Waterproof Long Socks

• Seamless Headwear / Buff

• Sunscreen

• Vaseline (Petroleum Jelly)

• Kinesiology Tape (Muscle Tape)

• Emergency Cash (at least RMB 500, in case of horse evacuation)

• Backup Insulating Layer

• Sports Watch

• Lightweight Crampons / Microspikes (in case of snow)

📝 Check-in Essentials

• Valid ID or Passport (used during registration)

• Medical Certificate (issued within 1 year with ECG)

• Proof of Personal Accident Insurance (covering race period and sudden death)

• Signed Waiver Form (on-site or pre-filled, if required)