The 2026 Eighth Nanming Yongle Peach Blossom Mountain Run kicked off in Nanming district, Guiyang, capital of Southwest China's Guizhou province, on March 21, attracting more than 4,900 participants.

Runners surge forward as the starting gun fires for the Eighth Nanming Yongle Peach Blossom Mountain Run on March 21. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

After the starting signal fired, the runners hit two routes – the 5.20-kilometer "Romantic Journey" and the 13.14-km "Hardcore Challenge" – at the same time. They made their way through peach groves, blooming fields of flowers, and various other rural landscapes, embracing the poetic charm of the countryside while experiencing the vitality of village tourism.

This year's run was designed as a spring celebration integrating six sectors: culture, agriculture, commerce, education, tourism, and sports.

An ethnic performance is staged along the route. [Photo/Guiyang news network]

These six sectors worked in synergy, allowing participants to experience the unique charm of rural life through running and flower-viewing, celebrating spring in a truly immersive way.

Since its inception, the peach blossom mountain run has used the flower as a catalyst to boost rural tourism, evolving from a local event into a flagship brand integrating culture, sports, tourism, agriculture, commerce, and education in Nanming district, as well as a signature spring attraction in Guiyang.

To date, the event has attracted over 100,000 participants, who have come to enjoy the joy of sports amid nature.

Peach blossoms are in full bloom along the route. [Photo/Guiyang news network]