The Tor des Glaciers is Italy’s legendary ultra-endurance race. An evolution of the iconic 330 kilometer Tor des Geants course, this endurance test is reserved for an exclusive group of runners primed to take on the challenge. The route spans 450 kilometers with over 32,000 meters of elevation gain, crossing ancient glacial landscapes and largely unknown ridges.
In 2025, Outopia athlete and accomplished ultra runner Gu Haiyan took on Tor des Glaciers for the third time. Though her previous two attempts ended in withdrawal, even braving these alpine landscapes is a win in itself. Haiyan has already conquered Tor des Geants in 2018, securing an impressive 10th place overall amongst women, and topping her age category. It was this result that earned her a place on the start line of the Tor des Glaciers, and completing it has been a goal ever since.
As she headed back into the solititude, the grandeur and the challenge of the Italian Alps she was faced with one question. This time, would she write a new chapter atop the glaciers?
The Tor des Glaciers 2025 was Haiyan’s third time taking on this race. The mountains are her playground, and always have been.
Ever since I was a kid, I was never one to stay inside for too long. I’ve always loved being out in nature, running wild, and seeing what the world has to offer.
As a child, I was actually quite frail, and my parents, wanting to protect me, rarely allowed me to participate in outdoor activities. However, everything changed when I joined the mountaineering club in college. That was when I truly fell in love with the mountains and the outdoors. I spent much of my university years climbing, and around the age of thirty, I began running ultra-marathons.
My name is Gu Haiyan. I’m a mother, a trail runner, and I currently work in finance. I’ve been trail running for 15 years now, falling in love with the sport after having kids. Recently, I’ve noticed some physical signs indicating I may have entered perimenopause - another completely new chapter. Life is always bringing challenges, but I tell myself, “Keep going, Haiyan.”
September 12th, 2025. 95km in. For Haiyan, the start of the race was a gradual slide toward the back of the pack.
Despite what I knew was a really solid preparation, runner after runner passed me on the early climbs. It was a tough start, mentally and physically. The first day is a mind game, you know you have done the work and the body is ready, but you have to be really disciplined to keep your head in the game. Despite these early set backs I kept pushing.
On the second night, we ran into a blizzard. The snow covered most of the trail markers so navigating became a game of careful attention. The course design is almost artistic. The early stages teach you how to follow the route, training you to spot every marker. It builds from manageable to brutal.
If you’ve ever wondered about the “glaciers” in Tor des Glaciers... they refer to the remnants of ancient glaciers. Fields of scattered boulders and rocks that were now covered in snow and ice. You descend through these sections holding onto ropes... but without a harness. We call it the “let-go-and-you’re-gone” section.
Before the race I knew what was coming. Blisters, scrapes, cramps, sleep deprivation, all of it. But an ultra marathon like this isn’t just about enduring pain. It’s more like solving a puzzle. Listening to your body and responding in real time with what you need. It becomes a game, a kind of dialogue, and there’s a joy to be found in having that constant conversation with your body.
September 17th 2025. 300km in. Haiyan was crossing peaks and valleys, literally and metaphorically.
A lot of my friends ask me, “You're so strong-willed. How do you keep pushing?” When I was feeling low energy at the 300km point I was reflecting on this.
To me, it’s not so much about being strong-willed. It’s not about “suffering” through it. During these races you are immersed in nature. Under a sky full of starts, watching the sun rise slowing over the snow colored peaks, or seeing the sunlight shimmer across a mountain lake. In these moments I’m so in touch with my “why” and my heart feels truly free. I find the mornings particularly special, seeing the sun rise after what is inevitably a long, cold night.
Later that day we had to cross a glacial melt stream, an ice cold river. I made a mistake in how I approached it. I really wanted to get across without getting my feet wet so I climbed higher up the valley first, hoping to find a good spot to cross. But, while I was crossing I still ended up stepping into the water and getting my feet wet. And then I had to climb back down! Extra elevation gain and loss, and for what? That whole struggle left me feeling a bit wobbly, I wasn’t sure what the last 150km would bring.
September 18th 2025. 346km in. At 15:23 that afternoon, Gu Haiyan made the decision to withdraw.
I went to the race organizers to officially drop out. The pass ahead was just too dangerous. I could hardly bend my legs, step over anything, let alone climb the next
pass. If I couldn’t climb, there was no point in pushing further. I returned the GPS tracker in Courmayer and picked up my drop bag. Italy, especially this region, is incredibly beautiful. Once I dropped the tracker I sat for a quiet moment to take it all in. Traversing those mountains for so many days… I still gained so much. Reaching the finish line isn’t the only way to win.
At one point on my way out, I passed a woman running the 330km race. As I went by she softly whispered, “bravo...”. These little moments of kindness are everywhere out there. We inspire each other. We move each other. On and off the course.
Over the next year or two my children will be facing crucial exams. It might not be the right timing for me to take on the training required for another race like this. But I’m sure I’ll comer back. I feel deeply connected to this course, both its technical challenge and its breathtaking scenery. This race remains top of my list, especially after this year... I haven’t finished it yet. Back in my university mountaineering club we used to say, “You should climb mountains while you’re young”. At that age we thought we knew it all, but really, whether you’re young or not so young, you should always keep climbing.
Tor des Glaciers is a journey that only the toughest even start. Haiyan’s journey was a story of grit, resilience and passion. It also required really good gear. Throughout her Tor des Glaciers journey, Gu Haiyan wore Outopia merino wool activewear built for endurance racing. Her layers included the Wonderland merino wool base layer, the Venture merino wool sweater for lightweight insulation, and the Soul Run compression pants.
For protection against harsh weather, she relied on the award-winning Vita Shell Jacket—a windproof, waterproof, and breathable shell jacket that complemented her merino wool base
layers natural temperature regulation. From moisture-wicking merino wool t-shirts to quick-dry trail running gear, her kit offered odor resistance, all-season performance, and reliable comfort across mountain extremes.
Author Profile
Ultra Trail Runner + University Lecturer + Mountainer