ANTA GUANJUN: TRAIL RUNNING PREMIUM SHOES FROM CHINA.

INTERVIEW AT HONG KONG 100, BY MAYAYO.

During our recent visit to Hong Kong 100 ultramarathon we had the opporunity to attend the offficial global launch of the Anta Guanjun Saker 3RC competition trail running shoe, the top of the line product for the naming sponsor for the event We then went on to interview its general manager on the brand history, future strategy and product priorities.

Listen to Mary now as she discusses with our editor Mayayo the future outlooj for her brand..and discusses up to 11 points on how trail running will look like in 2035.

Podcast: ANTA GUANJUN AND THE FUTURE: INTERVIEW FROM HK100 BY MAYAYO. 

ANTA GUANJUN: THE BRAND STORY.

In December 2018, a consortium led by ANTA Sports launched a successful cash tender offer to acquire the Finnish sporting goods giant Amer Sports. The deal, valued at approximately €4.6 billion remains one of the largest outbound Chinese acquisitions in the sporting goods sector.  with the final transaction closing on March 29, 2019.

Amer Sports was intended to be operated independently with a separate board, retaining its headquarters in Helsinki.  The buyout gave ANTA control over a global portfolio of premium niche brands, which are currently:  Arc’teryx, Salomon, Peak Performance, Atomic and Armada, Wilson and Louisville Slugger. Ever since then, they have sold Mavic (divested in 2019). Precor (sold in 2020) and Suunto (sold in 2022)

Following years of private ownership, the consortium took Amer Sports public again. In February 2024, it debuted on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AS) at a valuation of approximately $6.5 billion. By early 2026, the company continues to focus on direct-to-consumer (DTC) expansion and scaling its technical outdoor brands globally.

ANTA GUANJUN: Trail running shoes from China.

Anta Guanjun range (AG) translates to “champion” in English and represents the pinnacle of Anta Sports’ research and development (R&D) in high-performance, durable outdoor and trail running gear. The line emphasizes cutting-edge technology and athlete partnerships to create products for demanding environments and challenges.

The products are heavily influenced by professional athletes, such as top ultrarunner You Peiquan, who test prototypes in extreme conditions to ensure they meet the highest demands of speed and endurance over long periods. Anta Guanjun is the title sponsor for the prestigious Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100 Ultra Marathon (HK100). This event serves as a platform to launch new products, such as the Saker 3RC trail running shoe, and showcases the gear’s performance on a world stage.

Anta Guanjun products leverage partnerships with industry leaders for materials like Vibram Megagrip Litebase for outsoles and Gore-Tex for weather protection. The gear incorporates advanced features, such as the AG-Saker trail running shoes, which have a dual-structure midsole with supercritical foam, a carbon anti-torsion plate, and a POE stabilizing chassis for responsiveness and stability. The line is purpose-built for extreme durability and the toughest environments, designed to help athletes push their limits and achieve podium finishes. Dedicated Anta Guanjun stores in cities like Beijing and Shanghai offer a high-end, gear with performance technology similar to that used by national teams

ANTA GUANJUN SAKER 3 RC:

It is the latest trail running racing  shoe was launched 21st January 2026, featuring dual supercritical foams, a Y-shaped carbon plate for stability, and a Vibram Megagrip outsole with Traction Lug technology. It weighs approximately 266g.

Anta Guanjun Saker 3RC: Full review by Mayayo

Other key models include:

• AG-Saker Elite: A high-end model, utilizing Vibram Megagrip Litebase and a nitrogen-infused midsole for explosive energy return.
• ANTA Swift & Wu Yi: Mid-range options focused on versatility and durability for everyday trail adventures and moderate hiking.

TRAIL RUNNING 2035: HOW THE FUTURE MIGHT BE LIKE. 

By the end of 2025, trail running is no longer a promise or a passing fad. It is a global sporting ecosystem with millions of participants, consolidated professional circuits, national federations on five continents, and an industry that comfortably exceeds tens of billions of dollars annually once equipment, travel, insurance and race entry fees are added together, according to aggregated data from the different market actors.

Read the full article here.