Jiuzhaigou 100 Ultra-Trail Race launches in Chamonix ahead of October debut

The Jiuzhaigou 100 Ultra-Trail Race was presented in Chamonix, France, to the global trail running community ahead of its Oct. 17-18 debut in Jiuzhaigou, China. Organizers say the event will bring four race distances, invitation-only elite fields, and eco-focused operations to one of Sichuan’s best-known mountain landscapes.

Why it matters: - The Jiuzhaigou 100 Ultra-Trail Race is designed to draw international runners to Jiuzhaigou while also putting Sichuan trail running on a bigger global stage. - The event ties sports tourism to a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, which could boost travel interest in western China during the autumn race window. - Organizers are positioning the race as a professional, environmentally managed ultratrail rather than a one-off launch event.

What happened: - The Jiuzhaigou 100 Ultra-Trail Race was presented in Chamonix, France, to elite athletes, event partners and international media this week. - The race is hosted by the Jiuzhaigou County government and operated by Naiji Race. - The event is scheduled for Oct. 17-18, 2026, in the Jiuzhaigou region of China. - Organizers introduced the race management team, the route’s cultural and tourism features, and the event plan. - The launch also revealed the course format, four race distances, sustainability standards and athlete service approach.

The details: - The race will include 100km, 50km, 21km and 12km distances. - Organizers are targeting 3,200 total participants across the four categories. - The inaugural 100km and 50km events will be invitation-only for experienced trail runners. - The 21km and 12km races will be open for general registration. - The route connects Chengdu’s cultural heritage with Jiuzhaigou’s mountain scenery. - Courses pass through primeval forests, alpine lakes and Tibetan villages. - Organizers highlighted 108 alpine lakes and snow-capped mountains framed by autumn forests. - Race co-founder Zheng Junyue, described as one of the world’s most experienced ultra-distance runners, will help shape the event from a runner’s perspective. - The race follows compliant, eco-friendly operations, and all courses have received official approval and planning. - Leave No Trace standards will be implemented to protect the Jiuzhaigou ecosystem. - Naiji Race says the event is being built with scientific and standardized operations. - The race has formed a strategic partnership with outdoor brand KAILAS. - KAILAS will support the event as the race seeks to connect Chinese trail running culture with the global community. - More information and the event’s social page were listed in the release.

Between the lines: - Holding the launch in Chamonix puts the race in front of the international trail running audience in a place widely seen as the sport’s center of gravity. - The invitation-only structure for the longest races signals an attempt to anchor the event in elite competition while still keeping shorter distances open to the public. - The emphasis on sustainability and approval processes suggests the organizers want to avoid the perception that a mountain race is coming at the expense of the landscape. - Naiji Race is also using the event to frame trail running as part of a broader tourism and cultural outreach effort for western Sichuan.

What’s next: - Organizers said registration information, runner benefits and the detailed schedule will be released on Naiji Race’s official event platforms. - The race is expected to move from launch-stage promotion into final preparations ahead of the October 2026 start. - Additional details on athlete entry and event operations should follow as the event date gets closer.

The bottom line: - The Jiuzhaigou 100 is being launched as both a mountain ultramarathon and a tourism showcase, with Chamonix serving as the global stage for its international debut.