2026 Tsaigu Trail Race Regulations
(I) Race Information
The 11th Tsaigu Trail will be held from October 30 to November 1, 2026, in Linhai, Zhejiang of China. The race include 3 events: 105K, 50K, and 25K, with all participants starting from XingShanMen Plaza and returning along a closed-loop route. Details for each event are as follows:
● 105K: Total ascent distance approximately 6,677 meters; total cut-off time 28h30min; departure time 05:10/05:30 on October 31, 2026.
● 50K: Total ascent distance approximately 2,629 meters; total cut-off time 10h45min; departure time 05:40/06:00 on October 30, 2026.
● 25K: Total ascent distance approximately 1,034 meters; total cut-off time 6h; departure time 07:45/08:00 on November 1, 2026.
Note: Actual distances, climb data, and corresponding door closure times may be adjusted due to force majeure factors such as track construction.
(II) Registration
Participant Requirement
All participants must fully understand the distance and potential risks associated with this trial race, be adequately prepared, complete all required pre-race preparations for the following scenarios, and commit to complying with all relevant rules.
1) Be proficient in addressing various challenges arising from altitude changes without external assistance, including nighttime travel, low temperatures, strong winds, thunderstorms, dense fog, rain, snow, and other complex weather conditions.
2) Be aware of how to manage physiological and psychological issues that may arise from extreme fatigue, gastrointestinal discomfort, muscle/joint pain, and other conditions when traveling independently;
3) Participants must be aware of the various potential challenges they may encounter in wilderness environments and make preliminary assessments based on their individual capabilities and conditions; the organizing committee will provide only necessary support.
4) Participants must submit genuine and valid supporting documents; any acts of fraud or impersonation are strictly prohibited to ensure fair competition.
5) In strict compliance with the regulations, sign the event risk liability statement prior to the competition.
6) Strictly comply with all competition regulations and rules, follow the instructions of officials; any objections to penalty decisions must be raised through the prescribed procedures by filing a protest or appeal.
7) Respect your opponents, referees, and spectators; demonstrate exemplary sportsmanship.
8) Adhere strictly to sports ethics, maintain competition order, and prohibit the use of doping.
9) During the competition, maintain proper personal appearance; the behavior with bare upper body is strictly prohibited.
10) It is strictly prohibited to intentionally damage other participants' gears, maliciously obstruct competitors from advancing, or vandalize road signs and directional markers during the event.
11) Protect the environment by strictly prohibiting the indiscriminate disposal of waste; strictly adhere to forest fire prevention regulations and refrain from using open flames.
12) It is strictly prohibited to accept non-neutral assistance from outside the site in violation of regulations, ensuring fair competition.
13) Participants are obligated to provide necessary assistance to individuals in distress and promptly report such incidents to the organizing committee.
Qualifications
Participants are required to provide a medical certificate issued by a qualified healthcare facility at or above the county level within one year prior to the race. (including electrocardiogram and blood pressure test results) prior to the competition. Individuals with the following diseases or conditions are not eligible to participate:
1) Patients with congenital heart disease or rheumatic heart disease;
2) Patients with hypertension and cerebrovascular diseases;
3) Patients with myocarditis and other cardiac diseases;
4) Patients with coronary artery disease and severe arrhythmias;
5) Diabetic patients with excessively high or low blood glucose levels;
6) Individuals who drank excessively or experienced sleep deprivation on the night prior to the event;
7) Gravida；
8) Other patients with conditions that make vigorous exercise unsuitable.
Registration Requirements
Participants apply for the events based on the ITRA Performance Index.
● 105K: ≥410，plus proof of at least one completed race of 60 km or longer, or two completed races of 50 km or longer within the past year.
● 50K: ≥360，plus proof of at least one completed race of 50 km or longer, or two completed races of 40 km or longer within the past year.
● 25K: ≥260，plus proof of at least one completed race of 20 km or longer within the past year.
Notes：
Participants in the 50K and 105K events must be aged between 18 and 63 on race day, while those in the 25K event must be aged between 18 and 65 (not including those invited athletes).
All participants (including elites, shortlist players, and public lottery winners) may register for only one event.
Participants who have successfully registered are deemed to have acknowledged and accepted the competition rules; unauthorized transfer of registration slots is strictly prohibited. Upon discovery, the organizing committee will disqualify the proxy participant, permanently ban the transferee from participating in the Tsaigu series races, and notify relevant event organizers of the transferee's information. For those who obtained registration eligibility through fraudulent means, the organizing committee reserves the right to revoke their participation eligibility and retain the registration fee.
Registration Procedures
The total quota is 6,500. All registrants must follow the official WeChat account of UltimateTsaiGu and complete registration according to the provided instructions.
If the number of applicants exceeds the approved quota, eligibility will be determined through a prepaid lottery system. Applicants who do not win will receive a full refund of their registration fee within 3 days.
Registration Period will start from June 20, 10:00 AM to June 26, 10:00 AM and the drawing announcement date is on July 2 at 14:00
Notes：
Drawing Ratio: Any participant who completes any of the 2026 Chengdu Trail, 2026 Taizhou Trail, or 2026 Jiufeng Masters Trail will have their name added once more to the drawing pool (i.e., a 2-fold increase in winning probability); if all three races are completed, their name will be added three times more to the pool (i.e., a 4-fold increase in winning probability). This drawing doubling rule applies to all events, provided participants meet the respective entry requirements.
Registration Process and Timeline: Participants eligible for direct entry or those qualifying for a weighted lottery draw will follow the same registration process and timeframe as regular participants.
Direct registration participants: Must register through the dedicated channel (do not use the public lottery channel) and do not need to participate in the lottery. After registration, the system will display either "Registration Successful" or "Under Review".
Weighted lottery participants: Participate in the unified lottery process, and winning results are announced simultaneously with those of other participants.
Registration fees:
● 105K: 1,480 CNY
● 50K: 780 CNY
● 25K: 480 CNY
● Registration Cancellation
● For applications submitted for cancellation before 10:00 on July 1, 2026, the full registration fee (100%) will be refunded.
● Applications for cancellation submitted before 10:00 on July 31, 2026 will receive a 70% refund of the registration fee.
● Applications for cancellation submitted before 24:00 on August 31, 2026 will receive a 50% refund of the registration fee.
● For applications submitted before 24:00 on September 30, 2026 will receive a 30% refund of the registration fee.
● As of October 1, 2026, will no longer process any refund requests regardless of the amount involved.
Note: Participants who apply for a refund within the specified timeframe can do so directly on the registration page. The system will automatically refund the registration fee in the corresponding amount without requiring additional application to the organizing committee.
Elites
Elite with Fee Free Registration Period: July 10,10:00 AM – July 17,10:00 AM, and the eligibility requirements:
● 105K: ITRA for men≥755, and women≥630，plus proof of at least one completed race of 60 km or longer, or two completed races of 50 km or longer within the past year.
● 50K: ITRA for men≥790, and women≥660，plus proof of at least one completed race of 50 km or longer, or two completed races of 40 km or longer within the past year.
● 25K: ITRA for men≥780, and women≥650; plus proof of at least one completed race of 20 km or longer within the past year or with half marathon for men≤1h7min or women≤1h17min
Free Accommodation:
Athletes in the event with an ITRA performance index men≥865 and women≥725, will be informed for available accommodation arrangement from October 12 to November 2, 2026.
Notes：
Free elite participants may register for only one event; they will receive only essential race items such as bibs and wristbands, excluding other items like competition uniforms, with corresponding post-race items awarded upon completion. Elite participants eligible for free accommodation will be notified by the organizing committee based on their ITRA performance index as of September 20, 2026, to apply for lodging registration (a deposit is required upon application; deposits for DNS participants are non-refundable). Accommodation arrangements will be dynamically adjusted according to room availability, elite participant registrations, and arrival times.
The organizing committee has the final authority to determine the eligibility of elite participants.
Event Change
The number of participants for this competition is determined by lottery. Once the results are announced, refunds can only be requested; no further applications for event changes will be accepted for general lottery participants.
Elites seeking to change their event must submit a written application to the organizing committee by October 19, 2026. If the committee has already publicly announced the elite list for a defined event, no further event changes will be accepted for that event; applicants requesting a change or temporary inclusion after the deadline will lose eligibility for race ranking positions.
(III) Competition Rules
Mandatory Gears
Participants must bring the following mandatory gears for inspection and ensure its full possession throughout the event. This mandatory gear list represents the minimum requirements; participants are advised to prioritize wearing clothing with windproof, waterproof, and thermal insulation properties to ensure safety during race progression.
Gear | 105K | 50K | 25K |
Bib | must | must | must |
Cell phone | must | must | must |
Electronic devices with downloaded GPX | must | must | must |
Water containers no less than 1 liter | must | must | must |
Whistle | must | must | must |
Emergency Blanket | must | must | / |
2 sets of light sources and backup batteries | must | / | / |
Capless full-pressure waterproof jacket with adhesive closure (with a water resistance and breathability rating of over 10,000) | must | / | / |
Long-sleeved garment made from Merino wool or a blend containing at least 40% Merino wool. | must | / | / |
Energy Food (1 pc) | must | must | must |
Portable water bottle | must | must | must |
First aid kit containing bandages, adhesive bandages, and iodine swabs | must | must | must |
Satellite Locator (A deposit is required) | must | must | / |
Gloves | must | must | / |
Notes：
The softshell pants will be required for 105K based on the latest weather forecast one week before the event.
These gears are recommended: sports watches, trekking poles, sunglasses, caps, sealed bags for personal waste, sand-resistant shoe covers, Vaseline, skin patches, and sunscreen etc.
All participants must pass the mandatory gear inspection before collecting their race kits. Only 105K has a changing station (HuangShiTan). Participants in 105K must undergo the mandatory gear inspection during the race (all the mandatory gears cannot be stored at the changing station; inspections will take place before entering the CP station).
The Bib
The race bib is distributed with the entry kit. During the event, it must be clearly worn on the abdomen without being covered by clothing or obstructing the sponsor logo.
The bib as participants' access pass for event services including transportation, medical assistance, rest areas, and luggage storage facilities.
Bag storage service
● 105K: Each participant may store up to 2 storage packages, each not exceeding 30 liters; additionally, one transfer package may be stored prior to the race and kept at the starting point. The change package will be transported by vehicle to HuangShiTan after the start; upon completion of use, it will be returned to the starting point.
● 50K: Each participant may submit only one storage package with a maximum capacity of 30 liters; all packages must be stored at the starting point prior to the event.
● 25K: Each participant may submit only one storage package with a maximum capacity of 30 liters; all packages must be stored at the starting point prior to the event.
First Aid and Medical Care
All CPs are equipped with medical stations.
The Medical Center primarily provides medical services to participants and staff.
Participants who opt for medical assistance during the event hereby fully authorize healthcare professionals to administer necessary emergency medical interventions, including intravenous injections, and grant them the authority to determine whether the race may continue competing or require hospitalization based on their physical condition.
Participants who sustain injuries or experience physical discomfort may seek assistance at designated medical stations, call the emergency hotline listed in the contact directory, or request other participants to notify the event's medical staff.
It is crucial for any athlete to assist injured teammates and help locate medical assistance, but personal safety must always take precedence.
Participants must be aware that due to the complex geographical conditions of the event, medical personnel may take longer than expected to arrive; therefore, carrying essential first-aid supplies is crucial for ensuring personal safety.
In emergency-related medical expenses are typically covered upfront by participants. For cases eligible for insurance reimbursement, participants must submit their medical records and relevant invoices to claim benefits after the event.
Check Point
All participants must wear their bibs correctly (the back of each bib contains a race chip); those who fail to present the chip during the event will face penalties.
All rescue points and service stations are centrally managed by the organizing committee to provide services for participants. Only competitors wearing clearly visible identification numbers may enter supply stations; detailed information about each station is available in the competition guidelines and on the official website.
To minimize waste generation, participants must bring their own cup-shaped containers with a capacity of at least 150 mL to collect beverages at designated stations. Please respect the natural environment; any participant found littering on the course will face penalties including additional time penalties upon verification. All service points are equipped with trash bins and bags for waste disposal.
Cut-Off Time
The total cut-off time for each event are as follows:
● 105K: 28h30min
● 50K: 10h45min
● 25K: 6h
Notes：
1、15 minutes after the starting, participants who have not yet begun their run will be disqualified.
2、Each event has clearly marked cut-off time at all CP, which are determined by the participants' check-in time. Participants must leave the CP before it closes.
3、In the event of abnormal weather conditions or other special circumstances during the competition, the organizing committee reserves the right to terminate the event or adjust the closing times of all service locations.
Resting Area
Participants in the 105K event are provided with a rest area at YangDu Village (equipped with a sufficient number of beds and blankets). Due to traffic restrictions, shuttle buses for withdrawing participants operate only between 06:00 and 20:00. Participants withdrawing outside this period will wait at the rest area and will be transported back to the start/finish line by vehicle the following day.
The start and finish areas provide simple dining and rest facilities exclusively for participants. These areas offer only food and brief rest services; no accommodation is available, so participants must arrange their own lodging.
Withdrawing and the Shuttle Arrangement
If a participant sustains an injury that does not affect their progress, they should proceed to the CP to contact volunteers for withdrawal procedures. Staff will then cut off a corner of the bib and remove the wristband. Withdrawn participants may still use the bib to travel to the finish line and enjoy services such as meal provisions.
The return arrangements for withdrawing participants shall be implemented by the CP coordinators in accordance with the following rules:
● Is there a available return bus service with specified departure and arrival times available at this station?
● Should the health condition of withdrawing participants require immediate return to the starting/ending area?
● At stations or medical points where only small vehicles are permitted, there may be delays in transfers, or participants may need to return to the start/finish area when stations close.
If the event is terminated due to weather conditions, the organizing committee will arrange transportation to promptly return participants from that location to the start and finish area.
If a participant decides to withdraw midway, they must typically return to the previous service point or proceed to the next one to complete withdrawal procedures. If, during the return journey, they encounter a closing staff member and refuse to follow them to the subsequent location, the staff will contact the organizing committee to process the withdrawal on-site and notify the nearest rescue personnel to escort them back to the initial point.
Trail Sign: The event organizing committee has installed numerous reflective route markers along the course for all events to ensure clear visibility for participants in nighttime conditions. If a participant fails to see any marker within 300 meters during their journey, they must immediately turn back along the original path to the nearest marker. All participants must strictly follow the route markings and are prohibited from taking shortcuts without authorization. In case of getting lost, participants should promptly contact the organizing committee for assistance.
Event Prize
The detailed prize amounts will be announced before registration for the elites.
Rankings are determined based on the order in which participants complete the entire race. If two or more participants achieve the same time, their rankings are tied, and a gap is created for the next participant. The total prize money for tied-rank participants is then divided equally.
Punishment
General Penalty Provisions: Participants who violate the rules of this trail race will face penalties ranging from additional time penalties and to disqualification, suspension, or ban, depending on the severity of the violation. The following outlines the fundamental principles for penalty imposition (these provisions are intended as general guidelines; the Competition Dispute Resolution Panel reserves final authority).
Given the nature of mountain trail running as an outdoor sport, all penalties are applied on a cumulative basis—each violation is penalized separately, and the final penalty amount is the sum of all individual penalties. Data recorded by electronic monitoring devices installed at race start/finish area and along the course shall serve as the official basis for event officiating.
| Violation | Penalty Level |
| Non-intentional erroneous action by the participant, with no impact on results or safety. | Warning |
| Unintentional littering. | |
| The referee predicts a possible rule violation by the participant. | |
| Failure to wear the bib number correctly. | |
| Accumulation of 3 warnings; penalties increase cumulatively thereafter. | 10-Minute Time Penalty |
| Altering, defacing, or modifying the competition bib number. | |
| Taking non-biodegradable items (e.g., plastic food packaging, paper cups, paper bowls, plastic water/beverage bottles) out of the aid station despite being dissuaded/warned not to. | |
| Deviating from the designated route by more than 100 meters but less than 500 meters. | 30-Minute Time Penalty |
| Using unauthorized equipment or engaging in unauthorized conduct resulting in gain. | |
| Receiving non-neutral external assistance. | |
| Failing to proceed in the designated direction of the route. | 60 to 120-Minute Time Penalty |
| Environmental damage、Intentionally damaging or altering course markings or signage. | Race Termination & Disqualification |
| Intentionally damaging another competitor's equipment. | |
| Maliciously obstructing the progress of other competitors. | |
| Refusing to attend the awards ceremony without justifiable reason. | |
| Using vehicular transportation during the race. | |
| Engaging in commercial activities without the consent of the organizing committee and refusing to correct the behavior. | |
| Refusing inquiry and examination by event medical personnel; refusing to comply when medical personnel judge the competitor unfit to continue. | |
| Taking shortcuts on the course, shortening the route by more than 500 meters. | |
| Failing to check in at designated Check Points (CPs) in sequence; missing required checkpoints. | |
| Lacking or carrying personal competition equipment (mandatory gear) that does not comply with event regulations. | |
| Prohibition on carrying fire-starting devices and smoking. | |
| Using another person's equipment to pass the mandatory gear check; both the borrower and the lender will be disqualified. | |
| Using uncivilized language or gestures towards officials or other competitors, failing to observe competition discipline, refusing to accept officials' decisions, intentionally disrupting order, or engaging in acts violating sports ethics, where the circumstances are relatively serious. | 1 to 2-Year Suspension (may be upgraded to a lifetime ban if serious consequences occur) |
| Violating the Anti-Doping Regulations. | |
| Personally or inciting others to lodge protests through non-standard procedures, or spreading false information in an attempt to create negative public opinion affecting the event or related personnel. | |
| Failing to lodge protests according to the required procedures and process for appeals. | |
| Refusing to accept the final ruling of the Event Dispute Handling Panel. | |
| Making or publishing remarks or engaging in behavior detrimental to social harmony, involving social order, customs, ethnicity, religion, politics, etc. | |
| Violating laws or regulations during the event period. |
Competition Dispute Resolution Committee
● The Competition Dispute Resolution Committee consists of Leaders of the Host Organization, Representative of Professional Referees、the race director、 participant delegates,、and other individuals selected by the Committee based on professional qualifications.
● Appeal: Participants who dispute the competition's penalty decisions or personal results must submit a written appeal to the Competition Dispute Resolution Committee within 4h of the announcement, along with payment of an appeal fee of 500 CNY.
● Ruling and Fees: If the appeal is upheld, the appeal fee will be fully refunded; if rejected, it will not be refunded and will be charged as part of the arbitration costs. Appeals submitted late or without proper payment of the fee will not be accepted by the organizing committee.
● Ruling: The Competition Dispute Resolution Committee has the authority to investigate and verify the content of appeals in accordance with the competition regulations and the principles of fairness, impartiality, and transparency, and shall issue a ruling within the prescribed timeframe. This ruling constitutes the final decision, and no further review applications will be accepted.
● Under severe weather conditions (such as heavy rainfall, snowfall, or high-risk storms), the start time of the event may be postponed by several hours; if weather conditions remain unfavorable after the scheduled delay, the organizing committee will cancel the event.
● The organizing committee reserves the right to terminate the event or adjust closing times due to safety concerns during severe weather conditions.
● If the event is canceled due to force majeure factors—including but not limited to natural disasters (such as typhoons, earthquakes, floods, snowstorms, and other extreme weather events), government actions (e.g., site acquisition), or infectious diseases beyond the organizing committee's control, the committee will refund the full registration fee; alternatively, participants may choose not to receive a refund and retain their entry eligibility for the next season.
● Participants and teams sponsored by non-official event brands may display their personal sponsorship logos only on clothing and equipment used during the competition. The use of flags, banners, or any other non-official promotional materials is strictly prohibited at all locations along the race route (including the finish area); violators will face penalties from the organizing committee.
(IV) Other Race Information
Images and Copyright
The Organizing Committee holds all copyrights to the event-related images and videos capturing participants' appearances during the competition, including associated rights. Only the Committee may transfer the usage rights of such materials through authorized certification or licensing. The event organizers are permitted to license these materials to media outlets and partner brands for promotional purposes.
Outside the 500-meter area surrounding the race track service point, participants are prohibited from receiving non-official photography follow-up services. Upon discovery, the organizing committee reserves the right to disqualify the participant.
The organizing committee of this event has engaged professional photographers and videographers to provide photography services for participants, offering free high-definition images and videos to meet their needs. Without authorization from the organizing committee, any individual or organization that takes photos, videos, or other visual materials at race locations such as start/finish area or tracks with intent to sell shall be deemed in violation of rights, and the committee reserves the right to pursue legal action against such parties.
Insurance
Civil Liability: The organizing committee has provided unified personal accident insurance coverage for all participants during the event, with the coverage strictly limited to the period from the participants' registration on race day until the conclusion of the competition. Insured individuals include all event support staff and official competitors wearing designated bibs.
Personal Liability: Participants are advised to purchase additional insurance policies to cover potential costs arising from various risks.
Event Guide
The event guidelines can be accessed via the official website and WeChat account, covering details such as cut-off time, descriptions of service stations, information on first aid points, medical stations, and designated access areas for family members.
Organizing Committee Contact
lOfficial Website: www.tsaigu.com
lOfficial email: tsaigu@163.com
lWeChat: TsaiGu10000
lFacebook and Instagram: @tsaigu
The Right of Interpretation
The organizing committee reserves all rights of interpretation regarding this race.
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