Cross-country running creates a thousand-yuan fever in China

The photo shows an athlete standing on a mountain top, with a majestic snow-capped mountain range in the background. The caption in the photo says this is the 2025 Huanglong Endurance Trail Running Event, with the message "The Future Awakens" - Photo: The Paper

As the marathon wave gradually becomes popular, the sport of trekking through forests and mountains is quickly capturing the hearts of running lovers in China, according to The Paper .

This year, the 35km distance of the "Kailas - Around the Four Ladies Mountain" race was sold out in just a few minutes. The final round of the "Flower Path in the Clouds" race was also fully booked in just a few seconds.

This phenomenon raises the question: What makes more and more people willing to spend a lot of money to participate in a sport that is likened to "spending money to suffer"?

The unique appeal of cross-country running

The biggest difference between cross-country or trail running and a traditional marathon lies in the competition environment.

Instead of smooth city roads, athletes must conquer complex terrain with hundreds, even thousands of meters of climbing in unpredictable weather conditions.

It is the combination of physical challenge and natural beauty that creates the special attraction.

Bōluó (nickname, not real name) - a college student and former marathon runner, after volunteering for a cross-country race decided to switch to the sport.

"Everyone says the end of the marathon is cross-country running, and I agree. The natural scenery and experience of cross-country running are things that city marathons cannot replace."

Gua Rou (nickname) - CEO of a semiconductor company - also shared a similar view: "Marathon has only one goal, which is to reach the finish line, while cross-country running allows you to enjoy the mountain scenery."

Additionally, cross-country races are often smaller in scale, allowing athletes to get more attention, possibly even receiving up to 20 photos in one race.

The International Trail Running Association (ITRA) performance rating is also a great motivator for athletes.

Bōluó currently has 650 points, ranking around 3,000th out of 120,000 male athletes in China. "Up to 750 points, you can get free registration. Over 800 points, you can get sponsorship," he shared.

For many veteran athletes, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) is considered the ultimate goal.

“Every serious runner eventually wants to go to Mont Blanc,” explains Gua Rou, the world’s most prestigious ultra-marathon, often referred to as the “World Cup” of international cross-country running.

The phenomenon of cross-country running is exploding in China with the strong attraction of experiencing wild nature and challenging oneself to overcome one's limits - Photo: Zhongxin Jingwei/Xinhua

From Passion to Cross Country Running Industry

The cost of participating in cross-country and trail running is much higher than that of marathons. The total cost of transportation, accommodation, and equipment can reach tens of thousands of yuan, while marathons require a much more modest investment.

Cross-country/trail races are often held in remote mountainous areas with inconvenient transportation, expensive accommodation, and registration fees that can be more than 1,000 yuan.

In terms of equipment, while a marathon only requires shorts, a t-shirt and regular running shoes, cross-country running requires a waterproof jacket, headlamp, specialized watch, survival blanket and many other mandatory equipment.

Bōluó's equipment costs about 2,000 yuan (7.2 million VND), while coach Wu Wa has to spend about 5,000 yuan (18 million VND). Including other expenses, each athlete needs to invest about 10,000 yuan (36 million VND).

"Waterproof jackets and pants are made from glued material, the glue will peel off after long use, and can be worn for about three years. Trail running shoes wear out quickly, and for competition and training, you basically have to replace a pair every year," Ngu Oa shared.

As the sport becomes more and more popular, more and more brands are joining in the sponsorship. The Siguniang Mountain Run (a famous mountain in Sichuan, China) organized by Kailas has more than ten partners. Nike has become the main sponsor of the Sung Le 168 (Song Le 168 or Songle 168 Ultra Trail), a famous ultra-long distance trail race in China.

An athlete celebrates the moment of crossing the finish line at the UTNH (Ultra-Trail Ninghai) race held in Ninghai District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province, China - Photo: The Paper

According to sports marketing expert Truong Khanh, the boom in cross-country races comes from five reasons: meeting the need to reduce stress and get closer to nature; local authorities promoting eco- tourism ; professional organizations improving the quality of tournaments; strong spread through social networks; and the development of the marathon movement creating a large fan base.

Coach Ngu Oa noticed that compared to 8 years ago, the number of participants has increased sharply, especially in short-distance tournaments.

"In the past, people ran cross-country to run longer distances, but now people value achievements more, so they join training camps."

The training camp he opened can accommodate about 50 - 60 people, each course lasts 4 months with tuition fees of about 1,500 yuan (more than 5.3 million VND) per person, helping students acquire professional knowledge and avoid injuries.

Difficulty and Achievement: Constant Motivation

To understand the appeal of cross-country running, consider the achievements of coach Wu Wa. In 2024, he completed the "Swiss Peak 660", covering 700km with an altitude of nearly 50,000m in 12 days. This year, he continued to conquer the 168km race in Yunqiu Mountain in just 26 hours.

The world of cross-country or trail running is not just about finishing a race but also about exploring your limits on majestic natural routes.

Cross-country running and trail running both belong to the outdoor, uneven, obstacle running group, so they can be considered the same "family".

However, trail running is a more advanced, specialized level than traditional cross-country running. Trail running typically involves more difficult terrain, longer distances, and requires better technique and equipment.

In practice, many people use the two terms interchangeably, but in professional circles, trail running is a more developed branch, with distinct characteristics compared to cross-country running.

D. KIM THOA

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/chay-viet-da-lam-nen-con-sot-nghin-te-o-trung-quoc-20250512111645417.htm