Salomon Golden Trail Series Stakes Claim on the Great Wall

Thirty-six elite athletes navigated the grueling course, moving away from a traditional procession toward a hard-fought battle from the starting gun. Swiss runner Joey Hadorn utilized aggressive descents to secure third place in the men's race with a time of 2:15:42, while Kenyan athlete Caroline Kimutai matched the pace to finish third in the women's category at 2:43:33. Local standout Chi Lingjie led the Chinese contingent, crossing the line in 2:51:22 for seventh place.

Beyond individual performance, the series has undergone a structural shift. Salomon introduced a team ranking system that rewards collective efforts across specific uphill, downhill, and sprint segments, forcing squads to manage their energy and strategy with newfound precision. This strategic evolution is supported by a 50% increase in total prize money to €451,000, alongside a rigorous anti-doping program that includes 10 tests per race and 50 out-of-competition screenings throughout the season.

For the sport’s development, the Jinshanling stop serves as a bridge between local talent and the global circuit. By hosting the race during the Mid-Autumn Festival and leveraging partnerships with Warner Bros. Discovery, the series projects Chinese trail culture onto a worldwide stage. The project focuses on integrating Chinese runners into the professional mainstream, utilizing the Next-Gen squad to provide a pathway for emerging talent like Zhu Yutao, Zhang Ziyue, and Chang Miaomiao to test their race craft against the world's best on home soil.