Part of the 2016 Skyrunner® World Series, the Yading Skyrun will see its first edition on 30 April 2016 in Sichuan, China.

The 29km trail race is the first of eight races in six countries for the Sky Series which opens the season in April 2016. The Yading Skyrun is the highest race in the Word Series and reaches an incredible 4,700m altitude on the Tibetan Plateau in China’s spectacular Sichuan mountains.

Prior to the launch of this amazing race, between 23 to 20 October this year, the China Mountain Trails crew consist of the incredible outdoor photographer Lloyd Belcher, and five trail running legends from the Asia pacific region proceeded to Yading, Sichuan to explore the region. They are able to capture the beauty of the area on camera.

The five trail running legends that participated are:

• Mira Rai, Nepal: 1st Place 80km du Mont Blanc, 2nd Place Skyrunning Ultra Series
• Ruth Croft, New Zealand/Taiwan: 1st Place CCC, 2nd Place Tarawera 100km
• Yan Longfei, China: 1st Place Hong Kong 100, 4th Place North Face Australia
• Stone Tsang, Hong Kong: 3 x 18th Place UTMB
• Scotty Hawker, New Zealand/Australia: 2nd Place North Face Australia, 4th Place Lavaredo Ultra Trail

For the second visit, Mira, Ruth, Yan, Stone, and Scotty join the China Mountain Trail race directors
in the recce for the development of the "Yading Skyrun". With photographs that speak for themselves, the group had an absolutely superb time in the wondrous terrain with scenery blessed with perfect conditions in this high altitude race location.

The race has captured the imagination since its conception and has provoked an excited response from all those who heard about it. With a starting altitude of 2,800m, a highpoint of 4,700m, and 2,300 D+ over the first 25km, the race will always appeal to the runner. It was obvious the race truly has everything.

Trail running is blooming in China and Asia so China Mountain Trails, a new company looks to raise the awareness of this sport to a new level internationally. They already have two trail running events in their portfolio, the Hong Kong 100 and Lantau 2 Peaks races, China Mountain Trails look to continue this good work with truly internationally recognised quality races in mainland China with the intention of not only highlighting the beautiful trails available, but showcasing some of the most talented runners in the region too.

China Mountain Trails will launch three races in 2016. The locations are confirmed. Races and dates are:

• 30 April 2016: Yading Skyrun (Yading, Sichuan)
• 10 September 2016: Devil's Ridge 100 (Yumen, Gansu)
• 9 October 2016: Huangshan 50 (Huangshan, Anhui)

For further information regarding the “Yading Skyrun”, and China Mountain Trails other races, please stay tuned as we unveil them in due course.