The WMRA Mountain Series heads to China this weekend for the second race of 2026.
It 2026 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup moving towards Beijing Changping, Chinathis weekend in one of the most spectacular stops of the season, with two races under the Great Wall and on the mountain trails of the Yangshan Range.
After opening the season in Portugal, the Tour now heads to Asia for the second and third races of the campaign, where the world’s best mountain runners will face off in two incredibly unique races on April 25-26.
The weekend kicks off on Saturday 25th April with the Ascent Race, a sharp and explosive 3.5km course near the Juyongguan Great Wall with over 500m of ascent. This is a pure climbing competition where strength, time and commitment will be decisive. The race will be contested as a time trial format, with each athlete starting individually at 10-second intervals, adding an extra tactical layer to the battle against both the clock and the climb.
On Sunday April 26, attention then turns to the Classic Up and Down race category sponsored by Turismo Centro de Portugal. An 18km challenge with 1,284 meters of ascent and descent, starting and ending at Haizi Bridge and passing through the remarkable surroundings of Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest. With technical trails and fast running sections, it will test the mountain running skills of all athletes who must adapt to the ever-changing terrain during the race.
MEN’S FIELD. FORM, DEPTH AND EARLY SEASON MOMENTUM
The men’s race is led by Michael Celelo Saoli KEN (Run2together On Trail), who opened his World Cup campaign with a win at Portugal’s São Brás Cross. He was closely followed by Andrew Douglas GBR (Westerlands) at the opening stage, whose second place there confirmed his strong early season form.
They are joined by other top contenders including Paul Machoka KEN (Athletica Saluzzo), one of the highest-rated athletes on the starting list, Zhang Shen, who leads Chinese hopes on home soil, Issaco Costa ITA (La Sportiva), Alexandre Ricard CAN and Tyler McCandless USA, adding more quality and experience to the attack.
However, the battle for the podium is unlikely to be limited to the established favourites. A number of Chinese and wider Asian athletes will also look to use local knowledge, crowd support and home momentum to challenge for the weekend’s top spots.
WOMEN’S FIELD. WORLD QUALITY
The women’s competition features outstanding depth, led by Joyce Moutoni Njeru KEN (Nnormal), one of the sport’s most successful internationals and a consistent performer when she runs.
Also in the line-up are Maude Mathys SUI (Asics), Camilla Magliano ITA (Kailas Fuga), Alice Gaggi ITA (Brooks), Courtney Coppinger USA (Brooks) and Sara Wilhoit GBR (Rab), adding quality, experience and international depth to the women’s field. Between them they bring proven climbing power, technical ability, racing intelligence and the composure needed for major international competitions.
Women’s racing should not be viewed solely through its headlines. A strong group of Chinese and Asian contenders are also looking to make their mark on home soil, buoyed by local support and the chance to take the lead at one of the biggest stages of the season.
BEIJING CHANGPING.
More than 2,000 participants are expected during the week of the event, highlighting both the scale of the Beijing Changping stage and the growing world of the World Cup. The venues combine elite racing with some of the world’s most famous backdrops, linking mountain running with the cultural heritage of the Great Wall and the landscapes of northern Beijing.
From Portugal to China, the WMRA 2026 World Cup is already gathering momentum. This weekend, his next chapter will be written in Beijing Changping.
Stay tuned to the WMRA channels for live coverage and updates as the winners of the first race are decided.
