CHRIS MYERS WINS 2026 MT. FUJI 100; YING LI TOPS WOMEN'S RACE

Chris Myers of the United States won the 2026 Mt. Fuji 100 in 17:50:13 on April 24. Ying Li of China won the women's race in 22:18:00 over the 165-kilometer course around Japan's iconic peak.

Myers ran within striking distance of the men's course record set by Joaquin Lopez in 2025 at 17:48:40. His 17:50:13 places him second on the all-time Mt. Fuji 100 men's list and confirms his rise from a U.S. trail specialist to a top international 100-mile contender.

Li controlled the women's race after the long climbs in the middle section. Her 22:18:00 fell short of Courtney Dauwalter's 2024 course record of 19:21:22 but extends Chinese ultrarunning's recent breakthrough on the international stage. Li had podiumed at multiple Asian trail races in 2025 before this Mt. Fuji win.

For the full background on Mt. Fuji 100's evolution from its earthquake-delayed early years to its current UTMB World Series Major status, see our Mt. Fuji 100 history.

The race ran in dry conditions with cool overnight temperatures favorable for the long sections at altitude. Spring conditions on the Fuji loop are typically cooler than summer trail races and have produced multiple fast times in recent years.

The men's race produced a tight lead group through the first 80 kilometers before Myers pushed clear on the climb out of Sai-ko. His ability to manage the cumulative 7,000-plus meters of vertical gain set him apart from the chasers.

Myers has built his career on North American trail races and the Western States qualifier circuit. The Mt. Fuji 100 win extends his international résumé and positions him for selection to deeper international fields at UTMB Mont-Blanc in August.

Li's win continues a Chinese push into elite trail ultrarunning. The country has produced multiple top-10 finishers across the UTMB World Series in 2025 and 2026.

The race remains a UTMB World Series Major and a 100M-equivalent qualifier through the UTMB Index. The 2027 Mt. Fuji 100 dates have not yet been confirmed by race organizers but typically fall in the final weekend of April.