Chinese runner becomes first athlete to complete 330km Tor des Géants in under 66 hours
Guizhou-born Zhao Jiaju uses ‘fragmented sleep’ strategy to win gruelling Italy race, makes history as first Asian to win the event
Chinese runner Zhao Jiaju became the first athlete to complete the 330km Tor des Géants in under 66 hours on Wednesday, breaking the course record to claim victory in Italy using a “fragmented sleep” strategy.
Wearing bib No 1, he crossed the finish line in Courmayeur at 9.55am with a winning time of 65 hours, 55 minutes and 22 seconds, making history as the first Asian competitor to win the event.
Widely regarded as one of the world’s most gruelling ultra-trail races, the flagship event offers no prize money and serves as a supreme test of human endurance. Competitors face a 150-hour cut-off with no mandatory rest stops, leaving sleep management entirely up to the athletes.