The northwest leg of the 2026 University Hundred Relay Race, alongside the "XJTU Sci-Tech Run", took place at Xi'an Jiaotong University's Western China Science and Technology Innovation Harbour on Oct 24. With 44 university teams participating, this event marked the largest turnout for this season's northwest stop. The Tianyou Eagle Team from Lanzhou Jiaotong University clinched the championship, achieving its fourth consecutive title in this leg. Lanzhou University and Xi'an Jiaotong University secured second and third places, respectively.

This race coincided with the 130th anniversary of Xi'an Jiaotong University and the 70th anniversary of its westward relocation, marking its debut at the Innovation Harbour. Zhang Liqun, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and president of Xi'an Jiaotong University, attended the opening ceremony. Several academicians sent messages encouraging students to embody the Westward Relocation Spirit, integrating perseverance from the track into scientific research and innovation.

The race featured a 10-member team relay format, with two groups starting simultaneously. Each runner completed a 5-kilometer leg, and the final rankings were based on the combined results. The route passed landmark sites like the Westward Relocation Avenue, allowing runners to experience the university's sci-tech heritage. Lanzhou Jiaotong University maintained its lead with a steady performance, finishing in 2 hours, 49 minutes, and 58 seconds.

The event blended sports, science, technology, and international exchanges, featuring the "XJTU Sci-Tech Run", which attracted over 2,000 participants. A sci-tech carnival showcased research achievements and AI sports experiences, with intelligent robots assisting on the track.

A special team from the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation University participated, with young competitors from 11 countries racing alongside Chinese students. The event fostered international youth exchanges and expanded the competition's global profile.

The grand final of the 2026 University Hundred Relay Race will be held in Shanghai on November 29, where top university teams will compete for the championship.