©GoldenTrailSeries® – Great Wall
The Golden Trail World Series reaches one of its most spectacular venues this weekend as the world’s leading short-distance trail runners take on the Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race in China.
Sunday’s race is the seventh and final regular-season round before the Muju Trail Grand Finale in South Korea. With the overall standings still tight, the athletes will be racing for considerably more than victory on one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks.
A relentless race on historic ground
The 24-kilometre course packs in 1,889 metres of elevation gain through the Yan Mountains, around two hours from Beijing.
Much of the attention will naturally fall on the historic stairways of the Great Wall, but the second half could be even more decisive. Dry and technical terrain is followed by a relentless sequence of short climbs and descents, giving the runners few opportunities to recover.
Three timed segments add another tactical layer. The uphill segment climbs steep and uneven steps at an average gradient of 16.6%, while the race’s 1.3-kilometre downhill segment averages -17.9%.
Those segment points could prove important in the championship battle.
©GoldenTrailSeries® – Great Wall
Kiriago takes the lead to China
Philemon Kiriago arrives as the new leader of the men’s standings with 860 points, having moved ahead of NNormal’s Elhousine Elazzaoui following his second place at Myoko Trail.
Patrick Kipngeno will be one of his biggest rivals. The Kenyan won in Japan last weekend and has now taken five victories from five Golden Trail races in Asia, including last year’s race at Jinshanling.
Michael Selelo gives Run2Gether On Trail another major contender after finishing on the podium in all four of his GTWS appearances this season. Brayan Rodríguez, Joey Hadorn, Ryunosuke Omi and home athlete Zhu Yutao add further depth to the field.
A major opportunity in the women’s standings
Hanna Groeber also arrives directly from victory at Myoko, where the German secured her first Golden Trail World Series win.
Defending Jinshanling champion Caroline Kimutai returns after missing the Japanese round. With championship leader Madalina Florea absent through illness, Kimutai has an opportunity to close the gap before the Grand Finale.
Ruth Gitonga currently sits second overall, only two points ahead of Barbora Bukovjan, while Marie Nivet is also firmly involved in the fight for the provisional podium. China’s challenge will be led by Salomon athlete Chi Lingjie.
More than a race win at stake
A total prize purse of €40,800 is available, with €6,000 going to each winner. The top 20 in the overall standings will receive end-of-season prize money, while a place inside the top 30 guarantees financial and logistical support from the series during 2027.
The women’s race begins at 08:00 CEST on Sunday, 27 September, followed by the men at 08:20. Full coverage starts on HBO Max at 07:50, with Eurosport 2 joining the race at 08:15.
A championship battle on the Great Wall, followed by a season finale in South Korea. The decisive Asian chapter of the 2026 Golden Trail World Series is about to begin.
