Partnership based on community-building & technical innovation
Guangzhou, China, Feb. 06, 2026 — The Kailas FUGA Team has officially announced the signing of its first US athlete, Max KING. Recognized as one of America’s most successful multi-discipline runners of this century, with accolades in road, track, trail, and ultra marathons, KING will make his debut as a Kailas FUGA athlete at the Barkley Marathons. As one of the world’s leading trail brands, Kailas FUGA’s partnership with world champion KING will involve building the US trail community through youth training programs and collaborating on product development.
KING explained, “I joined the Kailas FUGA Team because I feel their brand priorities align with my own. Not only do they have great gear made by people who use the products daily in their own adventures, but they also emphasize community and youth participation. This is what I’ve built my running career around. They are passionate about getting people outdoors into the mountains and onto the trails rather than just selling gear.”
After winning the challenging 100k Ultra Nuevo León (2025) and the 380k legendary Dragon’s Back (2024), KING continues to build his legacy of elite athletic performances spanning two decades. He previously won the IAU 100k World Championships and the World Mountain Running Championship and has also set 20 Fastest Known Times (FKTs).
KING initiated his partnership with Kailas FUGA with a visit to the Guangzhou Headquarters in mid-January, where he tested the full range of current products. Kailas FUGA Brand Director Nina SUN explained, “KING brings world-class performance, product expertise, and invaluable insights. As a global brand, we aim to create shoes that enhance the performance of trail runners, whether in Asia, Europe, or the US. We look forward to working with Max to develop terrain-relevant products and build a community of trail runners in the US.”
As Kailas FUGA builds its global athlete community, the FUGA Mountain Club, KING will contribute as a coach and camp director, inspiring trail runners with his goal to “inspire my own generation and the next to become more active and live a healthy lifestyle.”
KING’s next big adventure will be the Barkley Marathons, one of the most iconic and notoriously difficult races in the US.
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About Kailas FUGA
Relying on twenty years of expertise in mountain sports, KAILAS launched a trail running product line called FUGA in 2016. Under the visionary leadership of Baggio Chengzhan ZHONG, FUGA has introduced revolutionary design and technical innovation to the industry. Since its launch, FUGA has gained a reputation for unmatched grip, durability, and innovation among athletes and international award organizations like ISPO. Through partnerships with professional runners, coaches, and event organizers such as TORX, FUGA has shaped the industry in China and beyond. A truly global brand with athletes and stores across 35 territories, our vision for a brighter and bolder future is inspiring the next generation and changing the world of trail.
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CONTACT: pippaebel@kailas.com.cn
