CGX Debuts Professional Obstacle Racing Shoes at UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships

R1020 targets the 100m format, while R1010 is built for 400m and 3km racing; both models will be worn by the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Obstacle Race Team in Beijing.

BEIJING, Sept. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Chinese specialist outdoor footwear brand CGX today unveiled the CGX&OCR R1010 and R1020 professional obstacle racing shoes on the opening day of the UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships. The new models will make their international competition debut with the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Obstacle Race Team.

CGX enters the event as a partner of the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Association, a sponsor of the Chinese Modern Pentathlon Obstacle Race Team and a sponsor of the UIPM 2026 Obstacle World Championships.

Held in Beijing from 2-6 September, the second edition of the championships forms part of UIPM's Race Across China series. Elite and age-group athletes will compete across individual 100m, 400m and 3km formats, as well as relay and team events. Obstacle Racing will also make its Olympic debut as part of the reimagined Modern Pentathlon at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Built Around the Demands of Obstacle Racing

Obstacle racing is not simply running in a straight line. Athletes must accelerate, jump, climb, brake, land and transition rapidly between obstacles and changing surfaces. That combination calls for footwear that balances traction, stability, containment and flexibility rather than optimising only forward running efficiency.

CGX CEO Nan Liu, who has more than 20 years of experience in footwear and apparel, initiated the project after identifying a lack of purpose-built footwear for the sport.

"I wanted to create a shoe that truly understands obstacle racing. Athletes need to run, climb, jump, land and change direction at speed. By combining our footwear expertise with insights from real training and competition, we aim to give Chinese athletes equipment that is better suited to the demands of the course and helps them perform with confidence."

- Nan Liu, CEO of CGX

The two models were developed with feedback from nearly 20 decorated professional athletes and went through multiple rounds of refinement and more than ten mould concepts. Athlete experience informed each stage of development, keeping design decisions connected to real training and race conditions.

R1020 is designed for the explosive, high-tempo demands of the 100m format, with an emphasis on fast starts, repeated obstacle transitions, grip and control. R1010 is developed for 400m and 3km racing, balancing obstacle performance with the cushioning, support and propulsion needed for sustained running.

Five Integrated Performance Features

The Full-Spectrum Obstacle Traction System adapts the lug layout and load zones of the Vibram rubber outsole for powerful push-offs, braking, climbing and landing, with added emphasis on the forefoot. Vibram Megagrip compound, Traction Lug technology and Litebase construction - used on both R1010 and R1020 - support grip, traction, durability and lower outsole weight.

Above it, the Dual-Zone Stability Midsole combines firmer material for support and shape control with a softer zone for impact absorption. A midsole stabilising plate helps manage unwanted twisting, allowing traction, cushioning and control to work together across obstacles, wet and dry surfaces, and repeated run-jump transitions.

At the rear, the Dual-Structure Heel Stability System uses internal Achilles stabilisers within the twin-peak heel construction to reinforce structure and containment. Both models also feature a U-shaped heel-lock component designed to help secure the rearfoot during starts, landings and climbs. The R1020 adds Lateral Wrap Support on both sides of the upper to help manage side-to-side loading and foot rotation. Completing the package, the Tiangong Performance-Woven Upper is engineered to balance containment, stability and breathability.

From World Championship Debut to China Launch

The Chinese Modern Pentathlon Obstacle Race Team will compete in Beijing wearing the new CGX shoes. CGX will continue to use athlete feedback from training and competition to refine the range, making the world championship debut the starting point for further product development.

The CGX&OCR R1010 and R1020 will launch in China on 7 September 2026 at a suggested introductory price of RMB 1,099 per pair. The models will be available through CGX flagship stores on Tmall, Douyin and Xiaohongshu, as well as selected retail locations including M Gate at West Bund Dream Center, Shanghai; Shanghai Xinjia Center; Hongqiao Qianwan INCITY, Shanghai; and Wushang Dream Plaza, Wuhan.

CGX will continue to position itself around professional footwear for Modern Pentathlon Obstacle Racing, building its product portfolio through elite competition, athlete collaboration, city obstacle events and wider participation in the sport.

About CGX

CGX is an emerging Chinese specialist outdoor footwear brand backed by long-standing manufacturing and product-development expertise. The brand is building a dedicated range for obstacle racing across different race formats, movements and athlete needs. CGX&OCR is its core professional obstacle racing footwear line.

SOURCE CGX