Chongqing - Chongqing trail runner Xiang Fuzhao won “Trail Runner of the Year” at the 18th China Outdoor Golden Rhino Awards on November 16 in Chengdu. Often called the “Oscars of Outdoor Sports,” this marks her first win after two prior nominations.  

Founded in 2006 by Outdoor Exploration magazine, the Golden Rhino Awards honor excellence and innovation in China’s outdoor sports, making it the field’s highest accolade over the past 18 years.

Xiang Fuzhao receives the Golden Rhino Award for Trail Runner of the Year. (Photo/Outdoor Exploration Magazine)

Bringing hotpot to the race 

Xiang, 33, made history this year with remarkable achievements. In June, she finished second at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in the U.S., clocking 16 hours, 20 minutes, and 3 seconds—a record for Chinese athletes in the iconic race. Her performance raised her International Trail Running Association (ITRA) score to 812 points, the highest ever for a Chinese female trail runner, ranking her fourth globally.  

In June this year, Xiang Fuzhao secured second place at the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in the U.S., achieving the best result ever by a Chinese athlete. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

In October, she won the 100-kilometer category at the Ultra-Trail Ninghai Challenge in China, breaking the course record with a time of 11 hours, 27 minutes, and 23 seconds. These achievements have cemented Xiang as one of the world’s top female trail runners.  

Xiang Fuzhao's support team during the Western States 100 race. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Xiang’s success also introduced cultural charm to the global stage. A video of her swift “F1-style” pit stop, where she refueled with homemade noodles during the Western States 100, went viral. Known for bringing hotpot ingredients from her hometown, her unique pre-race rituals have captured international attention.

Starting from village trails  

Born in a mountainous village in Wanzhou District, Chongqing, Xiang developed her athletic ability through her daily routines of climbing hills, farming, and running to school. Her mother fondly describes her as a “wild monkey.”  

Her journey into trail running began unexpectedly. In 2012, while studying at Zunyi Medical University, Xiang joined an outdoor adventure race as a last-minute substitute. This experience sparked her passion for the sport. In 2015, she competed in her first 100-kilometer trail race in Zhangye, Gansu Province. Wearing budget shoes purchased online and using a tree branch as a trekking pole, and she finished third—despite her shoes falling apart mid-race.

Xiang Fuzhao during a race. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

Over the next decade, Xiang competed in more than 200 races worldwide, winning numerous titles and earning the nickname “China’s Arale” for her petite frame, black-framed glasses, and tenacious spirit.  

Breaking barriers on the global stage  

Xiang’s career highlights include becoming the first Asian woman to win the Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji (UTMF) in 2019 and finishing as the top Asian athlete at the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) the same year. In 2020, she shattered the course record at the Hong Kong 100 and claimed second place at Spain’s Transgrancanaria, setting records for Chinese athletes in both events.  

Her resilience was evident at the 2023 UTMB, where she finished fourth in the women’s category with a time of 24 hours, 50 minutes, and 33 seconds—the highest ranking ever for a Chinese athlete. Her finish was marked by a romantic moment when her boyfriend proposed at the finish line.  

Xiang Fuzhao is currently ranked fourth globally in the ITRA performance index. (Photo provided by the interviewee)

After receiving the Golden Rhino Award after over a decade of trail running, Xiang said, “Success is built on consistent effort and small steps leading to big milestones.”  

The committee commended her as a trailblazer: “From a rising star in 2015 to a global icon in 2023, Xiang has showcased Chinese athletes’ strength on the international stage, inspiring women to embrace the outdoors and their own journeys.”  

A symbol of passion and perseverance, Xiang Fuzhao continues to redefine limits and inspire people of all ages with each and every race.

(Tang Hao, a reporter from Shangyou News, contributed the Chinese version of this report.)