Dingneng Wang

The Dingneng Wang Marathon is a commemorative endurance run scheduled for Sunday, May 3, 2026, in San Diego, California. Formerly known as the PQ & GZ Trail Marathon, the event was renamed to honor the memory of Dingneng Wang, a local athlete and community leader who founded several regional biking and hiking groups. Unlike traditional competitive races, this gathering is organized as a self-supported tribute run with no official course markings or aid stations.

Event Detail	Information
Start/Finish Location	Canyonside Park Driveway (Field 9), San Diego
Start Time	6:00 AM
Time Limit	7 Hours (1:00 PM cutoff)
Registration Fee	Free

The geography of the course follows a clockwise loop through the Penasquitos Canyon area, characterized by coastal sage scrub, rocky technical singletrack, and rolling fire roads. The route provides a mid-point utility stop around mile 11 at the Torrey Pine North Parking Lot, which contains the only accessible water fountains and restrooms on the course. In early May, San Diego typically experiences "May Gray" conditions—overcast mornings with cool temperatures around 16°C (61°F) that often give way to bright, exposed afternoon sun. Because the event is entirely unassisted, runners must carry their own hydration and nutrition to manage the transition from damp morning marine layers to dry midday heat.

Logistically, the event relies on a "honesty system" for results. While there is no official timing chips, participants who wish to have their times recorded on UltraSignup must register for free and submit digital proof of their run (such as a Garmin or Strava link) to the organizer. The 2026 date was specifically moved to Sunday to allow the local running community to participate in both this tribute and the San Diego 100-mile race held the same weekend. Historically, the course has seen very fast performances for a trail marathon, with Yong Xu holding a top time of 3:05:48 from the 2022 event.