The 2024 Onijie Lingjiu Mountain Ancient Road Ultra Trail kicks off in Kecheng district, Quzhou, Zhejiang province, on Oct 26. [Photo/Tide News]

The 2024 Onijie Lingjiu Mountain Ancient Road Ultra Trail kicked off in Kecheng district, Quzhou, Zhejiang province, on Oct 26, attracting over 1,600 trail running enthusiasts.

The trail is notorious for its challenging terrain, with elevation differences reaching thousands of meters on Lingjiu Mountain. The 100-kilometer course alone features a total ascent of 7,255 meters.

While the steep and rugged paths present significant challenges, runners are also treated to the stunning natural and cultural scenery unique to Kecheng, allowing them to enjoy the beauty of nature as they push their limits.

"This race is not just a test of physical strength and skill, but also of willpower," said renowned trail runner Deng Ronghua, last year's women's 70 km champion. This year, she is tackling the 100 km race, aiming to surpass her previous achievements.

The Lingjiu Mountain Ancient Road Ultra Trail, a signature event of Kecheng district, has been held six times since its inception in 2017.

In recent years, Kecheng has focused on developing Lingjiu Mountain into a provincial-level tourism resort. Infrastructure like mountain roads, trails, and safety railings have been developed there.

This event enhances the integration of sports, tourism, ecology, and culture, boosting the high-quality development of Kecheng's sports industry, said a representative from the Kecheng district bureau of culture, tourism, and sports.