Mountain runners celebrate International Women's Day

More than 1,000 women celebrated International Women's Day in the mountains this past weekend by running through some of Moganshan's bamboo-lined paths, ancient stone trails and firebreaks.

The season opener of the Trail Sisters series took place at the Moganshan International Tourism Resort in Deqing county, Zhejiang province, drawing a passionate crowd of female runners to mark the occasion on the trails.

Hosted by trail running apparel brand Outopia, the event featured three categories designed to accommodate a wide range of experience levels: a 10-kilometer hike, a 10-kilometer light trail run, and a 20-kilometer trail run.

The setup aimed to encourage more women to venture into the mountains, winding through bamboo forests and historical stone paths while immersing themselves in the area's unique natural beauty and cultural charm.

For those tackling the 20 km distance, the challenge included a cumulative elevation gain of 1,212 meters.

Beyond the race itself, several special activities added depth and warmth to the gathering. Prior to race day, nearly 100 participants joined a 6-km trail-cleaning initiative, combining their love for the outdoors with environmental stewardship.

A documentary screening was also held. The production chronicled female runner Gu Haiyan's attempt to conquer a grueling 450-kilometer ultra-trail of Tor des Geants in Italy.

Her journey served as a powerful reminder that it's never too late to take on a challenge.

As the first stop of a four-season series, the spring event injected fresh energy into the Moganshan trails. The journey will continue through summer, autumn, and winter, with races scheduled for May, September, and December.