Sydney, May 16 -- Chinese trail runner Yao Miao claimed the women's 50km title at the 2026 Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB on Saturday, while compatriot Qin Guidu finished runner-up in the men's 100km race.
The women's 50km event featured one of the most anticipated matchups of the competition, with Yao facing New Zealand star Ruth Croft.
The 29-year-old Chinese established runner, winner of the OCC category (50km) at the 2025 UTMB Mont-Blanc and the first Asian woman to claim three titles across different UTMB categories, was up against Croft, winner of the 2025 UTMB category (100 miles) and one ofthe world's top female trail runners.
Yao quickly moved into the lead after the start and stayed on top throughout the race. Afterpassing the 4...