Imagine running across steep terrain in the wilderness overnight? Facing prolonged darkness, unforeseen dangers, and the ultimate test of your physical endurance — all by yourself.

Chi Lingjie, a 35-year-old female runner from Shandong province, has embraced and completed such challenges time and again.

In late March, Chi claimed victory in the women's category of the 168-kilometer trail race at the 2026 Mt Gaoligong Ultra, a long-distance trail running event held in the mountains of Tengchong, Yunnan province.

This was her third attempt at the race. The first time, she had to withdraw due to a sprained ankle, and in her second attempt, she dropped out after experiencing hematuria. Nevertheless, Chi didn't give up — a characteristic that has defined the decadelong journey she has taken to become a professional runner.

Chi's talent for long-distance running, discovered in middle school, helped her gain entry to a reputable high school and later a university, eventually leading to a job at a Shandong tax bureau.

However, in 2016, she left her job and moved to Beijing to chase her dream. A year later, Chi embarked on her career in outdoor sports.

The journey, though, wasn't always smooth. It wasn't until 2021 that her marathon career, literally, got on track.

Throughout the trail running journey that followed, Chi was continually inspired by Yao Miao, often hailed as China's "Queen of Trail Running", describing her as "a strong and distinctive young woman".

In 2024, Chi established a trail running training camp in Kunming, Yunnan province, to inspire and empower other women.

"Many mothers bring their children to train here, and single women come as well, choosing to make this place a spiritual haven. Together, they strive to achieve their running goals and treat this place as a home," Chi said.

Mutual support

Ren Chunming, an amateur runner who secured eighth place in the women's category of the 168km Mt Gaoligong Ultra, strongly resonates with Chi's goal of fostering a spirit of mutual support.

During the race, Ren came across a young male runner who was struggling with the high altitude and steep climbs. She stayed with him until they reached a spot where the Blue Sky Rescue Team and firefighters were stationed, entrusted him to their care, and then continued on her way.

In another race, Ren encountered a girl who was in tears and struggling to keep climbing. Ren decided to forgo her own finish time to stay with the girl, offering her water, and helping to soothe her.

"I can always work on improving my performance next time, but if I see someone in need and don't help, and then find out something happened to them, it would haunt me for the rest of my life," she said.

Ren, a car salesperson from Tengchong fueled by her passion for running, but without any formal training, achieved first place in the women's category of the 50km trail race at the 2018 Mt Gaoligong Ultra and secured fourth place in the women's 168km race at the 2024 edition.

"Everyone can embrace trail running, regardless of gender. Although women might have slightly less physical strength than men, their resilience is deeply ingrained, often resulting in lower dropout rates in races," she added.

Yang Yu, a 41-year-old police officer from Sichuan province, shares a similar view with Ren.

She noted that, unlike some male runners, female runners are more likely to push through difficulties, believing they can overcome the challenge by pacing themselves.

"We may not have the advantage in physical strength, but when it comes to endurance, female athletes are truly impressive. This is also why they tend to have higher completion rates," Yang, who finished sixth in the women's category of the 55km trail race at Mt Gaoligong, said.

"When I go trail running, my husband takes care of the household and our two kids. He supports my dreams, and I back his hobbies, like fishing," Yang said.

Breaking the mold

Long-distance trail running, once considered a male-dominated field, is now increasingly popular with women.

Sonia Ahuja, an Indian-American, also participated in this year's 168km trail run at Mt Gaoligong.

Her philosophy is that, if you fully immerse yourself in the moment and enjoy the journey, victory will come naturally. As such, the 50-year-old focuses on savoring the experience, taking in the scenery and delving into local culture.

"I want to compete and excel in the race, as I have high expectations for myself. Yet, I also believe that, ultimately, it's the experience and the journey that truly make it special," she said.

In 2023, Ahuja became the first woman of Indian origin to achieve a podium finish in the United States' Badwater Ultramarathon, a grueling 135-mile (217km) race often regarded as the world's toughest foot race. The course stretches from Death Valley to Mt Whitney in California, where temperatures can soar up to 54 C. She achieved this remarkable feat in just nine years, despite having had no prior marathon experience before 2014.

Ahuja grew up in Gurugram, a city near New Delhi, India. Throughout her childhood and school years, she never joined any track and field teams, or participated in competitive sports.

In the 1990s, she relocated to the US and eventually made her way into the highly competitive financial industry, where she achieved an executive position.

She took up running in 2014, at the age of 38, initially as a way to relieve stress. Later that year, she completed her first marathon — the San Diego Rock 'n' Roll Marathon — with a sub-four-hour finish.

After running several marathons, Ahuja realized she was different from some of the other runners — crossing the finish line didn't leave her exhausted; instead, she felt an urge to keep going.

This realization led her to ultramarathons, which are technically any race longer than 26.2 miles (42.2km), but typically range between 80km and 241km.

Four years after finishing her first marathon, in 2018,Ahuja ran her first 80km ultramarathon, followed by a 161km race in 2020.

Upon discovering that no Indian woman had ever completed the Badwater Ultramarathon, she set a new goal for herself and achieved it in July 2023.

For her, the accomplishment was far more than just winning a trophy. In traditional Indian culture, women are generally expected to shoulder family responsibilities, achieve academic success and keep a low profile in their professional lives. Extreme sports, particularly ultramarathons filled with mud, sweat and intense pain, is a world largely untouched by Indian women.

"I want to send a message to these women: if I can do it, so can you. In ultramarathons, men and women start together and cross the same finish line, embodying true equality and breaking down gender barriers. These races offer lessons for real life: with determination, you can do anything. Ultimately, whatever men can do, women can too," Ahuja said.

Different approaches

Andrea Kooiman, another participant from the US in the same race, said that the reasons women run can differ somewhat from those of men.

She noted that women often balance a multitude of responsibilities, from managing household chores and raising children to building their careers. Yet, when she laces up her running shoes, it's her personal time — a choice to prioritize self-care, which ultimately makes her a better mother, wife and professional.

This was her second time participating in the Mt Gaoligong Ultra, and she described it as "like coming home".

Over the past decade, she has completed over 100 standard marathons and more than 50 ultramarathons, including the inaugural Gaoligong race in 2016, the Badwater Ultramarathon and the Tahoe 200 Endurance Run, a 321.8km race around the largest alpine lake in North America.

"My hidden advantage lies in my inner strength. Over the centuries, women have encountered numerous challenges, from our unique biology, to the way we've been treated in society. Now, I can compete on equal footing with both male and female athletes. When the going gets tough, I tap into my innate female energy to keep pushing forward," she said.

She aims to inspire women to dream big and believe that anything is possible, using herself as an example.

Kooiman started her running journey in 2005 at the age of 30, during a period when she frequently grappled with anxiety and depression as she balanced work and family duties.

In 2005, she confided in a female co-worker, an ultramarathon runner, about her dream of running a marathon someday. The co-worker offered to train her, and by 2006, Kooiman had completed her first marathon.

Unsatisfied with just one marathon, she continuously sought new races to conquer. Each finish line marked the start of her next challenge, as long-distance running became her ultimate weapon in the fight against depression and life's chaos.

Having found inner peace through running, Kooiman started thinking about how she could share this experience with teenagers. In 2010, she co-founded WeROCK, a nonprofit that operates as an after-school program for middle — and high-school students, with a focus on endurance running. "The kids I coach often discover their own strength through marathon training. They tell me: 'If I can run a marathon, I can do anything,' because it teaches them to fight through things," she said.

Composed mindset

For Zhang Ting, a 25-year-old from Guizhou province, her teenage years spent training in middle — and long-distance running at a sports school set the stage for her career as a professional trail runner.

Zhang claimed the first place in the women's category of the 55km trail race at the 2026 Mt Gaoligong Ultra.

"What I find most captivating about trail running is its unpredictability. In the 55km race, for instance, any unforeseen event on the course can alter the results, offering anyone the opportunity to win," Zhang said.

Zhang believes that her strength lies in her fearless enthusiasm, which fuels her drive in competitions.

However, as she gains more experience, she comes to understand that excelling in extreme sports requires more than just sheer determination; it also demands a well-thought-out strategy and a composed mindset.

"We need to learn from those who came before us and maintain a sense of reverence for the running course,"Zhang said.

She looks up to Ding Changqin, a female runner from Guizhou, as her role model. Ding manages to maintain an intense training regimen while also balancing her family responsibilities.

Zhang noted that resilience and self-discipline are the hallmarks of women's strength.

Nowadays, she focuses on enhancing her performance in the 50km race, with the ultimate goal of tackling the 100km and even the 168km races.

"I have great admiration for those who conquer longer distances, and I aspire to join them at the starting line one day," Zhang said.

Zhou Jin contributed to this story.