CFTT Shennongjia Ultra Race 2025
2025五郎青羊神农架山径赛
Race held in Shennongjia, a UNESCO Triple Crown site, with courses showcasing mountain and river scenery, diverse trails, and cloud waterfall views.
Race Categories
70km
- Start time: 04:00 on May 17, 2025
- Altitude range: 736m to 1946m
- Elevation loss: 4941m
- Aid stations: 6
- Mountain coefficient: 7
Overview
The 2025 edition of the CFTT Shennongjia Ultra Race returns to the UNESCO Triple Crown site of Shennongjia. This year's race features three categories - 70km, 50km, and 30km - each offering a unique perspective on one of China's most pristine wilderness areas.
Set off from the Shennongjia Songbai International Slow City through misty waterfalls, beneath starry skies, and deep within ancient rock formations. Running along the ancient mountain ridges that have folded over 800 million years, your footsteps synchronize with fossils and your breath resonates with the tectonic movements.
Race Highlights
Cloud Waterfalls The courses showcase stunning cloud waterfall views as morning mist rolls through the valleys and over mountain ridges.
Diverse Terrain Experience a mix of mountain and river scenery with diverse trail surfaces - from technical rocky sections to flowing single track through ancient forests.
Galaxy Valley The legendary "Galaxy Valley" of Wulang Qingyang, where stars scatter like salt grains thrown by mountain winds.
Course Details
70km Ultra
The longest and most challenging category, starting in the pre-dawn darkness at 4:00 AM. This course takes you through the full Shennongjia experience with 6 aid stations along the route.
- Distance: 70km
- Elevation Gain: +4,932m
- Elevation Loss: -4,941m
- Time Limit: 22 hours
- ITRA Points: 3
- Start: 04:00
50km Ultra
A demanding ultra that captures the essence of Shennongjia's mountain terrain with significant elevation gain relative to distance.
- Distance: 50km
- Elevation Gain: +4,243m
- Elevation Loss: -4,331m
- Time Limit: 17 hours
- ITRA Points: 3
- Start: 07:00
30km Trail
Perfect for those new to Shennongjia or looking for a challenging but achievable mountain race. Two wave starts help manage trail congestion.
- Distance: 30km
- Elevation Gain: +2,325m
- Elevation Loss: -2,309m
- Time Limit: 10 hours
- ITRA Points: 2
- Start: Group A 08:00, Group B 09:00
Altitude Profile
All courses traverse between 736m and 1,946m elevation. While not extreme altitude, the significant elevation changes and technical terrain make these courses demanding. The mountain coefficient ratings (7-8) indicate challenging terrain.
Location
Shennongjia Forestry District in northwestern Hubei Province is China's first and the world's second UNESCO "Triple Crown" site:
- World Natural Heritage Site
- World Geopark
- International Biosphere Reserve
The race is based in Songbai Town, designated as an International Slow City, offering a relaxed pre-race atmosphere and traditional Hubei mountain culture.