Chasing trails, running wild

In most parts of China, autumn is an ideal season for trail running. Temperatures are mild, humidity is perfect for outdoor activities, and the risk of slick, rain-soaked paths is lower. Many thorny plants have withered, but the foliage still offers plenty of shade. Trail runners weave through forests, enjoying the combined pleasures of nature and exercise.

For 22-year-old semiprofessional trail runner Cai Bo, this season is particularly important.

Over recent months, he has been rigorously training on various mountains in East China's Jiangsu province, covering about 400 kilometers and achieving a total elevation gain of 10,000 to 15,000 meters each month.

In addition to his domestic training and competitions, Cai recently participated in a major international event — the inaugural Asia Pacific Trail Running Championships, held in Ulju, South Korea, from Oct 23 to 27.

Originally from Qionghai in Hainan province, Cai has just graduated from Nanjing University Of Aeronautics And Astronautics in Jiangsu this summer. Despite having taken up trail running only a year and a half ago, he has already participated in over 20 official races.

These experiences have earned him a place in the prestigious International Trail Running Association (ITRA) rankings and have transformed him from an ordinary student into a semiprofessional athlete.

Cai is not an exception. In recent years, a growing number of city dwellers in China have fallen in love with trail running. By early 2024, over 30 professional trail running events had been scheduled, with many races even resorting to lotteries to select participants.

Many runners who have gained public attention and followers on social media, like Cai, do not come from professional athletic backgrounds.

"Early adopters may have transitioned from traditional running, but now more enthusiasts are emerging from other outdoor sports like hiking and skiing," Cai said.

He pointed out that, unlike professional athletes who are driven by competition, many people involved in trail running simply enjoy the outdoors. One such example is Xu Luyan.

Passion in motion

Also a semiprofessional trail runner, Xu, 21, grew up in rural Jinan, East China's Shandong province. From a young age, he developed a natural affinity for the mountains, often accompanying older children to pick peaches and pears.

After graduating from high school, Xu began serious long-distance hiking, completing classic routes in Sichuan and Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. He later became an outdoor leader in Moganshan, Zhejiang province. These experiences led him to win first place in his first trail running competition in September 2022.

"Although it was a small amateur competition, I realized at that moment that this is truly my sport," he said. "Trail running is an endurance sport that best showcases a person's willpower."

For Xu, the continuous challenge is what draws him to trail running. "After completing a 25-kilometer race, my goal is to tackle 40 kilometers, and then I immediately sign up for the next 60-kilometer race. One day, when I can run 100 kilometers, what other challenges could possibly daunt me?" he said.

However, for Du Aoran, it was the cool gear associated with trail running that first attracted her to the sport.

"I started with casual hiking before trying trail running," said the 28-year-old from Zhengzhou, Central China's Henan province. "Even though it was just a three-kilometer hike on a mountain road, I prepared professional trekking poles, trail running shoes, a hiking backpack, and a sun hat for myself," she laughed.

According to her, the rise of social media is closely linked to the growing outdoor trend in recent years. "When we complete an event, it's natural to want to post beautiful photos online to commemorate it — or, to put it bluntly, I want to show off," she admitted.

Du noted that in the past, people tended to post photos of culinary delights or luxury items, but now there's a shift toward sharing outdoor activities. "We prefer to convey a vibe of strength, vitality, and power," she said.

Before discovering trail running, Du didn't have a regular exercise routine, but now sports have become "an indispensable part" of her life.

To prepare for her trail runs, Du commits to daily running and strength training. After about three months, she has noticed significant changes in her body.

"My core strength and leg muscles have improved a lot. Even my walking is more stable, and I don't sway anymore," she said. "I also feel more mentally energetic. The negative emotions that used to weigh me down naturally dissipate during trail running. I enjoy the feeling of running alone in the mountains, listening to music or admiring the flowers and plants. It's very soothing."

Beyond the hype

While enthusiasts like Du find trail running fun and relaxing, some people perceive the sport as dangerous.

After graduating from university, Cai not only continued his career as an athlete but also became a trail running course designer. His role involves creating unique and safe trail running routes that meet the expectations of racers.

"If you promise a scenic route, you must do your best to deliver it. If you assure runners that they can withdraw from the race if they feel unwell, you need to ensure that rescue operations are feasible. If you promise ample supplies, the aid stations should not be located in remote, desolate areas," he explained.

According to Cai, most trail running events in China are managed with a "nanny-level" of care, making sure that every runner is looked after as much as possible.

"Safety considerations in China are world-class. Whether it's the local government, event organizers, or the runners themselves, everyone prioritizes safety," he said.

However, beyond controllable risks, trail running inherently involves hardship, and Cai believes this hardship holds its own significance.

"When both your mental and physical strength are pushed to their limits and you still see no end in sight, do you choose to persevere or give up? Alone in the mountains, do you casually discard your used energy gels, or do you carry them back down? If you encounter an injured fellow runner, do you help them, or do you focus solely on your own race? You won't know the answers until you experience the trails for yourself," he explained. "Mountain running allows us to confront our truest selves."

Cai sees this as the essence of enduring the hardships of trail running. "It's fascinating to explore and discover yourself amid so many uncertainties," he said. "The mountains are a medium. Perhaps we love trail running not just for the activity itself, but for the state of being it brings us."

Contact the writer at guiqian@i21st.cn