Flame Mountain Donuts
2026.4.25 ~ ?
DON U T RUN
Mt. Huoyan: The Iconic Red Soil Badlands
Located in Sanyi, Mt. Huoyan is ranked No. 35 among Taiwan’s 100 Minor Peaks (Xiao Bai Yue), with its summit reaching an elevation of 602 meters. The standard loop (O-loop) spans 6.78 km with a cumulative elevation gain of 448 meters.
Originally a plateau of conglomerate and laterite (red soil), the landscape has been sculpted over eons by the Da’an River and the forces of erosion and collapse. This process has created a dramatic terrain of jagged cliffs, gravel layers, boulder flows, and underground streams. Under the glow of the setting sun, the mountain appears from a distance like a ridge engulfed in roaring flames—hence its name, "Flame Mountain." Furthermore, the mountain is home to a rare Masson Pine (Pinus massoniana) forest, a unique ecological treasure that often goes unnoticed by many hikers.
The Huoyan Donut Run: A Test of the Soul
The Mt. Huoyan Donut Run is an infinite loop challenge where the ultimate opponent is not the clock, but yourself. It is not a test of raw speed, but a mastery of rhythm—balancing steady movement, strategic rest, and disciplined nutrition.
With every lap completed, you are forced to confront the duality of your inner strength and vulnerability. The question remains: “Do I go for one more lap, or do I stop here?”
Whether you aim for the podium or simply strive to exceed your previous performance, the goal is simple: if you complete just one more lap than you did last year, you have achieved the ultimate victory—Beat Yesterday.
Rule
Loop
No mandatory time limit
Winning
Huoyanshan Donut is an infinite loop race. Each lap is 6.78 km long with a cumulative ascent/descent of 458m (ITRA Approved). According to the map route, completing one full O-loop of Huoyanshan and returning to the starting point to check in constitutes one finished lap.
Participants must remain within the race track and the event venue at all times and are not permitted to leave. If a participant is confirmed to have left the area, their final result and medal will be determined based on the number of laps completed at that moment.
There are no limits on supply or rest time, and there is no mandatory time limit for completing each lap. Focus on moving when you move, and rest well when you rest. This is not a race of speed; it is about how you persuade yourself to consume one "Huoyanshan Donut" after another.
Participants must remain within the race track and the event venue at all times and are not permitted to leave. If a participant is confirmed to have left the area, their result will be calculated based on the number of laps completed at that moment.
When a participant completes a lap and decides not to continue, their final result will be recorded based on the total time at the finish of their last completed lap, and the corresponding finisher medal will be provided.
Race Termination Rule: If the leader (the participant with the most completed laps) holds a lead of 3 laps or more over the second-place runner, the event concludes immediately when the leader declares an end to their run and stops advancing.
Tie-breaking: The participant who completes the most laps is declared the winner. If two or more participants complete the same maximum number of laps, the one who finished them in the fastest time wins.
“It's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.”
— George A. Sheehan
yes, it is the spirit of this DONUT RUN
Beat Yesterday
Challenge yourself from last year
Last year you challenged yourself by walking three laps around the Flaming Mountain Donut Challenge! This year, aim for four laps! Surpass yourself from last year! Many children walked one lap when they were little, two laps the following year, and some have already completed three laps! What are you waiting for?
You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great"
- Zig Ziglar
"If you are willing... step out of your comfort zone and see what you’re truly capable of."
If you are willing... you can achieve 50 km, 100 km, or even distances exceeding 100 miles. We will apply for the corresponding ITRA points and UTMB Index for your achievement.
Who said long-distance racing is just an all-you-can-eat-and-drink event?
Infinite loops mean an infinite supply of refreshments. As long as you are willing to keep running, our abundant supplies will be your greatest support.