This weekend, the global mountain running spotlight turns to Briançon, where the Vauban Mountain Trail hosts Rounds 9 and 10 of the WMRA World Cup in one of the most spectacular and demanding settings on the circuit. Framed by historic Vauban fortifications and perched at over 1,300 meters, France’s highest city will see two races that could reshape the 2025 World Cup leaderboard.

July continues in full stride after the historic debut of the World Cup in Asia, with the high-profile races held just two weeks ago in Chongli, China, where thousands of fans embraced mountain running in one of the biggest mountain and trail events ever held in the region. Now, the energy shifts from East to West, but the stakes remain sky-high.

At the summit of the standings, Britain’s Scout Adkin (268 pts) and Kenya’s Paul Machoka (233 pts) wear the leaders’ bibs, but a hungry field of elite climbers and descenders will try to close the gap. With only six races remaining, every stride counts—and in Briançon, those strides are brutally steep.

The weekend kicks off Saturday 19 July with La Montée Verticale, a pure uphill test: 6km with 1,150m of vertical gain, starting from Briançon’s Snow Front near the Prorel cable car and finishing at the top station—an all-out battle against gravity that crowns the Classic Uphill (Round 9) of the WMRA World Cup.

On Sunday 20 July, the action continues with the Grand Parcours Vauban Mountain Trail: 14km with 1,000m elevation gain, a technical up-and-down route starting in Parc de la Schappe and weaving through alpine trails. This marks Round 10, a Classic Mountain stage demanding both endurance and descent speed.

Both races are part of the sixth edition of the Vauban Mountain & Trail festival, combining elite racing with local culture and celebration.

In the women’s field, all eyes will be on Scout Adkin (GBR), whose consistency and climbing prowess have defined the 2025 season. She’ll be challenged by the Kenyan trio of Joyce Muthoni Njeru (2023 WMRA World Cup champion), Valentine Jepkoech Rutto, and Philaries Jeruto Kisang—each a proven threat on steep gradients. British runner Elle Twentyman is also emerging as a podium regular, aiming to make her mark on alpine soil.

The French team brings serious firepower to Briançon, led by Christel Dewalle, one of the world’s most experienced vertical specialists, and Élise Poncet, known for her explosive strength on short, technical climbs. With the altitude on their side, both will look to upset the other favorites and stand tall on home trails.

On the men’s side, World Cup leader Paul Machoka (KEN) is under pressure from compatriot Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (2022 overall WMRA World Cup champion) and the always-dangerous Michael Selelo Saoli. Italian hopes are high with Andrea Rostan, a powerful climber familiar with World Cup demands, and Tiziano Moia, whose strength on technical terrain could prove decisive.

Andrea Elia, Italian national champion, also enters with confidence. The French charge is equally compelling, led by Emmanuel Meyssat, a veteran with deep knowledge of these trails, and rising star Théodore Klein, whose aggressive racing style and home advantage could make him a real podium contender. With this mix of experience and youth, a shake-up in the standings is all but guaranteed.

Andrea Elia at Vertical Nasego. Photo © WMRA by Marco Gulberti

FRIDAY JULY 18

16:00-19:00: Bibs abd registrations, Schappe Park, Briançon

18:30: Presentation of WMRA Elite Runners and delivery of their bib, Schappe Park.

17:00-21:00 Opening of the drinking space, Schappe Park.

19:00: Concert (Dj Set) By Dj Bloch , open to all, Schappe Park.

SATURDAY JULY 19

07:00-08:30: Bibs and registrations Uphill Race, Schappe Park, Briançon.

08:30-08:45: Drop off runner’s Bag, Cable Car Prorel (available from 09:30 finish of uphill race).

09:00: Start of the Uphill Start, Snow Front, Cable Car Prorel, Briançon.

09:45: arrival of the first runner, Top of Cable Car Prorel.

14:00: Podiums of the Uphill race, Schappe Park, Briançon.

15:00-18:00: Bibs and registrations 14km et 07km, Schappe Park, Briançon

SUNDAY JULY 20

07:30 – 08:45 : Bibs and registrations14km et 7km,  Schappe Park, Briançon.

09:00 : Start of the 14km – WMRA World Cup

09:45: Start of the 07km.

10:00 : arrival of the first runner

11:00 – 14:00 : After-Race Buffet, Schappe Park

12:00 : Podiums 14km et 07km.