Du started as a university lecturer who spent his savings racing through the wild with friends. That’s where he discovered his talent—and deep love—for running in the mountains.

Today, with an ITRA score of 915, he’s among the top trail runners in the world. But for Du, it’s not about rankings. It’s about the calm, joy, and clarity he finds on every trail—and the energy he brings back to his students.

As he puts it:

“It’s not about how we finish—it’s about how we feel out there.”

Hui never set out to become a full-time athlete. He worked in retail during the week and raced on weekends—until he realized all he really wanted was to live in the mountains and explore every trail, by foot or by bike.

He moved to Kunming, a city sitting at 2,000 meters above sea level, and committed to the climb. Now, with an ITRA score of 884, he’s one of the top trail runners in the world.

Beyond racing, Hui gives back—mentoring young runners who come to Kunming chasing the same dream he once had.

Ten years ago, Jing was a well-known chef, famous for his fiery dishes and long hours in a hot kitchen. Weighing nearly 100kg and working 12-hour shifts, running felt like a world away.

Then a car accident changed everything. Forced to rest with a broken arm, he realized he wanted more out of life—starting with his health. He began by running just 3 kilometers.

Years later, Jing is now a professional trail runner, a 1:10 half marathon pacer, and a coach for youth under 12. His journey proves that transformation is possible, one step at a time.

Xiao Xiao never set out to be a professional trail runner. Her journey started with simple curiosity—her husband was obsessed with trail running, spending weekends and holidays racing through the mountains. One day, she decided to find out what the hype was about.

What she discovered was not just community, but her own hidden talent. Despite a demanding job and a new baby, Xiao Xiao trained hard—and within a year of giving birth, she earned 788 ITRA points and finished a 100K race with 5,300 meters of elevation in just 14 hours.

She always reminds others:

“It’s never too late to start running.”

Fay has loved running since she was a child. After graduating, she felt lost in the monotony of corporate life. Together with her husband, she founded the Shanghai 129 Running Group—a community of 129 pro runners that meets weekly for free training and support.

Though she paused her training after having a baby, Fay believed in owning her journey. She got back on track and now proudly runs marathons in under 2 hours and 50 minutes.

As a child, Haiyan’s health was fragile, and doctors doubted her ability to do sports. But in college, joining a mountaineering club sparked a passion for the outdoors that changed everything.

Balancing her job as a university teacher, Haiyan climbed stairs during lunch and ran 20 kilometers daily to and from work. She has completed a 300-kilometer trail run and taken on two grueling 450-kilometer glacier adventure races.

In 2025, she plans to tackle the 450-kilometer race again, aiming to become the first Asian woman to finish.