A broader influence

These developments on the trails mirror a larger story of female empowerment.

Chinese women are playing an increasingly vital role in the country's sports landscape, both as elite athletes and grassroots practitioners.

A recent government white paper titled China's Achievements in Women's Well-Rounded Development in the New Era released by the State Council Information Office on Sept 19 reveals that women have accounted for more than 55 percent of Chinese participants and over 60 percent of Chinese medalists in the last four Summer Olympic Games. In the last four Summer Paralympics, female participants accounted for 50.22 percent, and female medalists accounted for 55.62 percent.

At the grassroots level, women made up 56.1 percent of the country's 3.71 million social sports instructors by the end of 2024.

For Xing, trail running has forged her into a more resilient and capable woman. She recalls her 2013 UTMB race in Chamonix, France — a grueling 168-km journey with 10,000 meters of elevation gain.

"My stomach couldn't handle the food at the aid stations. I suffered from severe pain and vomited repeatedly, forcing me to continue on an empty stomach. Not speaking the language made it even harder to seek help. It was an incredibly tough experience," Xing recalls.

Yet, she persevered, crossing the finish line to learn she had come third in the women's over-50 category.

"I used to be a woman who would cry when facing challenges at work," she reflects. Now, she feels there is no difficulty in life she cannot overcome.

Though retired, her schedule is packed. She trains weekly in the mountains with friends, competes overseas, creates handmade crafts at home by repurposing race packs, tends her grapevines, makes wine, and cares for her two grandchildren — a girl, 11, and a boy, 6. As one of the longest-active amateur trail runners in the Chinese mainland, Xing has no intention of stopping.

"Although I'm aging and my stamina isn't what it used to be, I still want to compete with women my age from other countries. As long as I can run, I'll keep running," she says.

Contact the writer at xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn