China's Zhao Jiaju wins Tor des Géants, sets new race record

(ECNS) -- Chinese trail runner Zhao Jiaju won the 2026 TOR330 – Tor des Géants in Italy in 65 hours, 55 minutes and 22 seconds, becoming the first Chinese athlete to claim the title and setting a new race record.

Zhao crossed the finish line in Courmayeur early Wednesday after completing the 336.1-kilometer ultra-trail race, which features more than 24,000 meters of elevation gain and a 150-hour cutoff.

His winning time was 13 minutes faster than the previous record of 66 hours, 8 minutes and 22 seconds, set in 2025.

Born in Guizhou Province in 1995, Zhao began exploring long-distance running after learning about marathons in 2014. Before establishing himself in trail running, he worked as a food delivery rider, using the physically demanding job to build endurance. 

(By Helen Mo, intern Yang Hongran)