The Chinese stage will be held in the mountains north of the Chinese capital, the Changping event will combine elite-level mountain running, iconic global landmarks, and a rapidly growing Asian running community — reinforcing China’s strategic importance in the worldwide development of the sport.

The event will host two World Cup races across two days and is expected to welcome athletes from more than 20 nations, underlining the World Cup’s continued evolution into a truly global series.

Two races: One iconic landscape

The Changping World Cup stop will showcase the full range of mountain running disciplines, blending explosive uphill racing with a demanding classic mountain course.

Great Wall Uphill – pure power on a global landmark

• 3.5km 525m+ / 174m- Prologue
• Saturday, 25 April 2026
• Venue: Juyongguan Great Wall

The opening race will be a short, intense uphill time trial staged on and around the Great Wall of China, one of the most recognisable landmarks in world sport and culture.

With steep gradients and an unforgiving pace, the uphill prologue will test raw climbing strength and precision pacing, offering a spectacular and unmistakable setting for one of mountain running’s purest formats.

Classic Up & Down – endurance through history

• Approx. 18km 1275m+/-
• Sunday, 26 April 2026
• Venue: Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest

The second race is a traditional up-and-down mountain challenge, set in the Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest, an area known for its rugged terrain and concentration of ancient pagodas.

Technical climbs, demanding descents and sustained elevation change will reward complete mountain runners — those able to combine endurance, strength and downhill skill across varied terrain.

Where heritage meets high performance

Few World Cup venues offer a setting as distinctive as Changping.

Located in the eastern Yanshan Mountains, the district combines high forest coverage, rugged mountain terrain and professionally adaptable trail systems with some of China’s most significant historical sites.

Athletes will race:

• on the slopes of the Great Wall at Juyongguan, a symbol recognised worldwide
• through the Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest, home to the largest surviving collection of Liao Dynasty pagodas
• within reach of the Ming Dynasty Imperial Tombs, one of China’s most important cultural landscapes

This rare fusion of elite sport and cultural heritage creates a World Cup experience that goes beyond competition — connecting performance, place and history in a way few venues can match.

World-class delivery in the heart of Beijing’s mountains

The Changping World Cup will be delivered in close cooperation with experienced local partners, ensuring world-class standards for athletes, media and spectators.

Key advantages include:

• venue access just 60 minutes from Beijing Capital International Airport
• official host hotels close to race start areas
• dedicated training trails near athlete accommodation
• professional race operations, media facilities and anti-doping procedures

Together, these elements ensure a seamless World Cup experience, meeting the expectations of the world’s best mountain runners.

A genuinely international World Cup event

The 2026 Changping World Cup weekend is expected to attract elite athletes from over 20 countries, spanning Europe, the Americas, Africa and Asia, alongside a large mass-participation field of more than 2,000 runners across the event week.

This international mix lies at the heart of the WMRA World Cup concept:

• giving Asian athletes access to top-level competition on home soil
• encouraging global participation and athlete exchange
• raising the competitive standard across continents

Elite athletes will be hosted under full World Cup conditions, with accommodation, airport transfers and race logistics provided by the organisers, ensuring a professional and athlete-focused experience.

China AS PART OF the future of mountain running

China has become one of the fastest-growing markets for endurance and mountain sports worldwide. Strong institutional support, expanding participation numbers and high-quality event organisation have positioned the country as a key driver in the sport’s global future.

For the WMRA, the return to China in 2026 reflects:

• the rapid rise of mountain running participation across Asia
• increasing international competitiveness of Chinese athletes
• the ability to deliver events at true World Cup standard

China is no longer simply hosting global competition — it is actively shaping the next phase of mountain running’s international development.

Jonathan Wyatt, WMRA World Cup Manager at the official World Cup launch in Beijing, January 2026

From Europe to Asia: a truly global World Cup

Traditionally centred in Europe, the WMRA World Cup has steadily expanded its footprint across new regions. Changping represents a cornerstone of the World Cup’s Asian expansion, aligning with the WMRA’s long-term vision of a balanced, multi-continental series.

This expansion aims to:

• broaden athlete pathways beyond Europe
• strengthen global rankings and competition depth
• bring mountain running to new audiences and landscapes

With China firmly on the 2026 calendar, the World Cup continues its transformation into a championship series that reflects the global nature of the sport.

ELITE ATHLETE REGISTRATION IS STILL OPEN

Should elite athlete have interest on participating they can contact [email protected]

A TRUE 10-OUT-OF-10 SEASON AHEAD

The WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026 is more international, more competitive and more ambitious than ever. With new prize structures, increased visibility and a calendar stretching across oceans and mountains, the 2026 season honours the sport’s heritage while driving it decisively into the future.

IN MOUNTAIN RUNNING WE TRUST.