fierce new ultra-trail marathon races set for California's central coast and China's ancient mountains in 2025, promising a profound bond between athletics, the environment, and local history.
New Races Join UTMB World Series: Ultra-Trail Shudao in China and Hoka Pacific Trails California
The UTMB World Series is expanding its horizons with two new races added to its 2025 events calendar. The Ultra-Trail Shudao in Sichuan Province, China, and the Hoka Pacific Trails California are set to take place on November 8-9 and November 22-23, respectively [1].
Ultra-Trail Shudao by UTMB®
This race takes place in Jiange County, Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, China. With three race distances - 102 km with 3400 m elevation gain (100K), 41.7 km with 1930 m elevation gain (50K), and 20 km with 790 m elevation gain (20K) - the Ultra-Trail Shudao offers a challenging yet captivating experience [1][3].
The courses trace the ancient Shu Roads, a historic network of mountain paths dating back to the Qin Dynasty. Runners will encounter Daping Mountain (1073 m), cloud-wrapped rice terraces of Chaotianping, Jianmen Pass cliffs, ancient cypress forests, bamboo trails, and sites marked by Red Army slogans. These routes offer a unique blend of rugged terrain and deep historical context, making it a living museum of China's mountainous past [1][3].
HOKA Pacific Trails California by UTMB®
Based on California’s central coast, in the Santa Ynez Valley, the Hoka Pacific Trails California debuts on November 22-23, 2025. The race reflects local scenic beauty and trail running culture from an area previously less accessible to global trail runners [1][2].
The race takes runners across misty rice terraces, alpine meadows, bamboo forests, steep ridgelines, and the legendary Shu Roads. The course is on land that has been previously inaccessible to runners, adding an element of exclusivity to the event [1][2].
Both races represent the UTMB World Series’ expansion into culturally rich and geographically diverse locations to meet growing global and local demand in trail running while allowing participants to qualify for the UTMB finals in Chamonix-Mont Blanc [2].
Registration and Details
Priority registration for Hoka Pacific Trails California by UTMB is open now, and general registration begins July 24 at pacifictrails.utmb.world/register. Priority registration for UTula-Trail Shudao opens today, and general registration begins on July 24 at https://shudao.utmb.world.
The Ultra-Trail Shudao offers participants discounted access to the "Shu Road ICH Experience" tour route, including Jianmen Pass, Tangjiahe Nature Reserve, and post-race recovery at Zengjiashan Ski Resort. Race packs for Ultra-Trail Shudao will be co-created with local artisans and emphasize local culture [1][3].
Trail running star Fuzhao Xiang calls the geography of Ultra-Trail Shudao "treacherous," adding to the race's allure for seasoned runners. Race Director Dillon Osleger states that the Hoka Pacific Trails California offers a trail experience like no other due to its rugged, mountainous terrain and rich history [1][2].
China ranks third globally in terms of UTMB Index holders, with over 80,000 Chinese runners holding a valid UTMB Index. Trail running has been growing rapidly in China and Asia, making these new races an exciting addition to the UTMB World Series [1].
References:
[1] UTMB World Series. (2023). New Races for 2025. Retrieved from https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/news/new-races-for-2025
[2] UTMB World Series. (2023). Hoka Pacific Trails California. Retrieved from https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/races/hoka-pacific-trails-california
[3] UTMB World Series. (2023). Ultra-Trail Shudao. Retrieved from https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/races/ultra-trail-shudao
Sports enthusiasts now have an exciting opportunity to participate in the Ultra-Trail Shudao in China and the Hoka Pacific Trails California, both joining the UTMB World Series in 2025. The Ultra-Trail Shudao offers runners a captivating experience with challenging courses tracing ancient mountain paths and showcasing China's rich historical heritage, while the Hoka Pacific Trails California debuts with an exclusive trail experience on previously inaccessible land along California's central coast.
