I’ve lived in China for over 15 years, and only got into trail running about a year ago— unsurprisingly, I am still finding my feet on mountain paths. When I read about the new FUGA Gongga 100 Extreme Glacier Trail Challenge several months ago, it felt like the perfect chance to step up my game. This trail had three categories (30/ 55 and 100km), so I opted for the 55km one. I knew that this race’s tough terrain and high altitude would push my limits, turning my newfound love for trail running into something more serious.
Gongga 100 Extreme Glacier Trail Challenge: 55km Challenge
When the ring of the start-gun resounded through Hailuogou valley, I pulled my laces tight and stepped onto the 55km trail. We’d traveled to Ganzi’s Hailuogou a few days early to adapt to the altitude—most of the race sits around 3,000 to 4,000 meters, and we didn’t want thin air to throw off our rhythm.
This was my first time tackling a race with over 5,000 meters of cumulative elevation gain, and the 1:1 ration of distance to elevation is partly what makes it so different. Friends had warned me for weeks it’d be brutal, that the altitude and climbs would push me harder than anything I’d tried before. Standing there, watching the first runners disappear into the trees, I could tell the trail ahead would test more than just my legs—it’d test how well we’d prepped. This wasn’t just a race; it was my first big mountain challenge, and I was as nervous as I was eager to see if I could keep up.
Gongga 100 Extreme Glacier Trail Challenge: Race Day
The Trail: Half Challenge, Half Wonderland
The magic of FUGA Gongga 100 lies in its dramatic contrasts: trekking through old-growth forests, breathing in the scent of pine needles; crossing a bridge or rounding a ridge, only to face a skyline of 6,000-meter snow-capped peaks—all while treading on gravel roads slick with mud. Goats, horses, donkeys, pigs, cows and even a buffalo joined us on course – luckily though, there were no monkeys in sight.
The trickiest stretch was Longhua Mountain – the continuous steep inclines pushed my muscle endurance to the limit—no wonder the organizers call this a “King’s Trial.”
Yet the race’s thoughtful details warmed the heart: there were more checkpoints (CPs) than in regular races, which was perfect for refueling and checking/ asking about what’s ahead on the trail. Local volunteers were super helpful, and each CP had ample foods and snacks to choose from… even steamed buns and noodles made it onto the menu.
Gongga 100 Extreme Glacier Trail Challenge: Views
FUGA Gear: My Reliable “Mountain Companion”
This trail race required more gear than I was used to — two pairs of pants, a fleece, gloves, a hat, and more. I was worried about the bulk weighing me down, but finding a reliable gear partner in Kailas FUGA made all the difference. FUGA equipment has made a name for itself in producing light-weight, professional and durable gear. It’s ideal for technical terrain and challenging environments. I had no concerns that my gear wouldn’t hold up; I could just focus on the trail ahead. The weather on the day of the race was a happy surprise —sunny and warm – meaning , I didn’t use most of the back-up gear. But here’s my review of the kit I did wear for my 13+ hour stint (yea, I’m not that fast).
The FUGA DU2 GTX Trail Shoes acted true terrain masters, living up to its “Steep Slope King” name. As a limited-edition model inspired by Gongga Glacier, its grip is reliable on tricky ground, and has high levels of comfort and stability – great not having to worry about my shoes letting me down, no matter what the path throws at me. This race didn’t rain, but I stepped through a shallow riverbed—and my feet stayed totally dry, thanks to its GORE-TEX layer.
The FUGA AIR 8 IV Trail Vest Pack is a real winner – a Lightweight “mobile supply station”. I was surprised how much gear it packs in —even though it was full, it didn’t get in the way: no bouncing, no sore shoulders. The ADF adjustment system is great—cross-chest straps locked the pack in place, even during sprint descents. Tons of pockets too, making it easy to grab essentials fast.
Gongga 100 Extreme Glacier Trail Challenge: Gear
Conclusion: More Than A Finish Line
When I crossed the finish line, it hit me what makes the Gongga 100 so special. It’s not about beating the mountains—it’s about figuring out what I’m capable of, and having gear that doesn’t hold me back helps so much. Nothing beats having stuff you can trust when you’re pushing your limits, especially with views like Gongga’s around you.
My next challenges? Another similar 50km in cold/ rainy circumstances (see you at Siguniang Mountain!) or even a 100km race. Now I know exactly what gear I’ll bring.
Upcoming Kailas – Fuga trail races schedule
*The 10th Kailas Siguniang Mountain Ultra-Trail
Event date: October 29, 2025 (Registration closed)
Venue: Siguniang Mountain, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan.
Event categories: Offering five categories tailored to different experience levels, spanning 32km to 98km with varied altitude challenges.
*2025 Kailas FUGA · West Lake Qingzhiwu Midwinter Trail Running Race
Event date: December 14, 2025 (Sunday).
Venue: Hangzhou, Zhejiang (Registration filling fast)
Event categories: There are four categories, namely West Lake 42km (classic route linking lakes, mountains, and ancient temples), Huanglong 30km (balances urban start and mountain trails), Lingyin 20km (passes Lingyin Temple and botanical gardens) and Qingqing 10km (beginner-friendly).
Kailas FUGA Shenzhen 100 Mountain Race
Event Date: December 26-28th
Venue: Shenzhen’s beaches (Da’e)
Event Categories: 10, 35, 60, 100, 168 KM
Registration now live on WeChat
FUGA Guangzhou 100
Event Date: January 17-19th
Venue: Guangzhou Baiyun Mountain
Event Categories: 10, 35, 60, 100KM
Lottery closed, entries to open in Nov/December on WeChat
