Ultra-Trail Mogan by UTMB®
Ultra-Trail Mogan by UTMB® – EMG
Yucun Square → Jun'Anli
Race guide
Updated 18 July 2026
The EMG is the 25 km entry distance at Ultra-Trail Mogan by UTMB®, a point-to-point run from Yucun Square to Jun'Anli. On paper it is a short race, but the numbers tell a more demanding story: 1127 m of positive climbing packed into just 25 km, with a high point of only 667 m. That combination — a lot of vertical gain relative to a low summit — is the signature of rolling, repeatedly punchy terrain rather than one long mountain ascent. Starting at 73 m and finishing at 47 m, EMG is close to net-flat end to end, which means every metre of that 1127 m D+ is given back on the way down. It is a race that rewards runners who can handle short, steep efforts and keep moving on rolling ground, not one that suits a single steady climbing rhythm. With one intermediate checkpoint and a generous overall time allowance, it is an accessible but genuinely honest introduction to the Mogan trails and the by UTMB race format.
The course: 25 km point to point, low but relentless
EMG runs one way from Yucun Square (0 km, 73 m) to the finish at Jun'Anli (25 km, 47 m), passing a single checkpoint at the Xiangshuiling Resort Hotel at 13.5 km (260 m). With 1127 m of ascent over the distance and a high point of just 667 m, the elevation never gets far above the valley floor, yet the cumulative gain works out to roughly 45 m of climbing per kilometre. That is the profile of continuously undulating trail — repeated short climbs and drops — rather than a course defined by one big summit. Because the start and finish sit at almost the same low altitude (73 m and 47 m), there is no altitude concern to manage and no single sustained ascent to pace around. The practical consequence is that you will spend the whole race changing gears: shifting from a hike or power-walk on the steep pitches to a run on the flatter and downhill sections. Runners who arrive fixating on the modest 667 m high point are often surprised by how much climbing the day actually contains once all the smaller bumps are added together.
Where the effort is won: the first half to Xiangshuiling
The one place the course structure is anchored is the checkpoint at Xiangshuiling Resort Hotel, reached at 13.5 km. The elevation there (260 m) is higher than both the start and the finish, so the opening 13.5 km carry a net climb and, given the terrain, the bulk of the day's steepest work — including the passages up toward the 667 m high point. Treat this first half as the section that decides your race: go out too hard on the early punchy climbs and you will pay for it over the long run-in. From Xiangshuiling the route drops toward Jun'Anli, losing net height on the way to the 47 m finish. That 11.5 km back half is where a controlled first half turns into a strong finish — the descending, rolling ground lets a fresh runner make up real time. The tactical takeaway is simple: bank patience early, keep the steep climbs to an efficient hike, and let the second half run downhill under you.
Pacing and fuelling around the cut-offs
EMG gives you two hard deadlines: the Xiangshuiling checkpoint closes at Sunday 12:30, and the finish at Jun'Anli closes at Sunday 16:00. That leaves a substantial window to cover the final 11.5 km, so the cut-offs are forgiving for a mid-pack runner — the risk is not the clock but running out of supplies or energy between the two points. With only one aid checkpoint on course, plan to be self-sufficient across a 13.5 km opening leg and again across the 11.5 km to the finish. Carry enough fluid and calories to cover roughly half the race between top-ups, and top up fully at Xiangshuiling rather than rushing through, because there is nothing else before the line. Fuel steadily from the start — the constant climbing burns more than the low profile suggests — and use the Xiangshuiling stop to reset before committing to the descent home.
Conditions to expect
Altitude is a non-factor here: the entire course sits below 667 m, so there is no thin-air effect and no high-mountain exposure to plan for. The challenge is underfoot and in the legs — steep, repeated climbs and descents on trail — rather than in elevation. The Sunday cut-off times (12:30 at the checkpoint, 16:00 at the finish) indicate a daytime effort, so most runners will race in full daylight rather than needing to plan around darkness. Because the course is net downhill overall but front-loaded with climbing, the smartest preparation is descending-specific: strong quads and confident footwork on the drops will save far more time than raw climbing power. Rehearse the rhythm of hike-up, run-down on rolling terrain in training, and arrive ready to manage effort across many short surges rather than one long grind. Beyond that, keep your kit and fuelling within what the two-checkpoint structure supports and race the profile that the data describes.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 73 m · —
13.5 km · 260 m · Sun 12:30
25 km · 47 m · Sun 16:00
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