In the breathtaking valleys of the French Alps on August 28, China's Yao Miao crossed the finish line at the UTMB OCC ultra trail race in second place after 55 km of grueling terrain. 😮💨
Just 10 days later, a ruling by the Athletics Integrity Unit disqualified Kenya's Joyline Chepngeno for a doping violation, bumping Yao up to champion status. 👑
This win crowns Yao as a back-to-back champ at the foot of Mont Blanc. Combine that with her 2018 CCC (100 km) victory, and she's the first Asian athlete ever to claim three UTMB titles in different categories. 🎉
At 28, Yao's journey is epic: from the mountains of Guizhou Province to dominating world trails. She once dreamed of leaving her rural roots behind, but instead found her calling in the very wild terrain she grew up around.
After missing out on the provincial track and field team, Yao embraced trail running and quickly earned the nickname "China's Queen of Trail Running." Even a 2019 setback—injuries and health issues—couldn't keep her from the trails. Today, with a science-backed training squad, she balances competitive fire with pure love for running. 🏃♀️💖
Yao Miao's story proves that grit and smart training can conquer any summit. Ready to lace up and hit your own trail? Let her journey inspire your next adventure! 🌄
Reference(s):
From mountains to podiums, Yao Miao's tale of trail running triumph
cgtn.com
