The Aragonese Pyrenees will welcome the world’s best mountain and trail runners as Canfranc-Pirineos hosts the third World Mountain & Trail Running Championships (WMTRC), following the combined editions in Chiang Mai (2022) and Innsbruck–Stubai (2023). Looking ahead, the championships are scheduled to visit Cape Town (South Africa) in 2027, marking the event’s first edition on the African continent.

A deep international field — around 1,600 athletes from more than 70 nations — is expected to compete on rugged, high-alpine terrain above the historic Canfranc railway station. The senior program features four titles:

• Uphill: ~6.4 km with ~1,000 m of ascent
• Classic (Up & Down): ~14–15 km with ~800 m ascent/descent
• U20: the athletes will run the first of two loops of the Calssic, featuring 7.5 km +400 meters of elevation gained
• Short Trail: ~44–45 km with ~3,650 m of climb
• Long Trail: ~82 km with ~5,400 m of climb

Steep climbs, rocky ridgelines and technical descents are signature Canfranc — courses that reward efficiency, footwork and downhill composure as much as raw climbing power.

(All athletes named below appear on the official Canfranc entry lists for the indicated race.)

UPHILL

The men’s headline acts include Patrick Kipngeno and Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN) alongside Jacob Adkin (GBR), the European champion. The U.S. brings altitude specialists Christian Allen and Joe Gray, with Uganda’s Deogratias Musobo and Alex Kiplangat adding proven vertical class.

On the women’s side, the favourites blend experience and speed: Christelle Dewalle (FRA), Kirsty Dickson (GBR), Laura Hottenrott (GER), Benedetta Broggi (ITA) and Philaries Jeruto Kisang (KEN). Scout Adkin (GBR) arrives as the two-time, back-to-back WMRA World Cup overall winner across Uphill and Classic formats.

CLASSIC (UP & DOWN)

Expect relentless pace and tight packs before the final descent decides medals.

Men — Kenya fields Philemon Kiriago and Paul Machoka. Spain has Alejandro García on home ground. Watch Théodore Klein (FRA) and Lukas Ehrle (GER), plus a powerful Uganda quartet led by Abel Chebet, Aziz Chebet, Martin Kiprotich and Isaac Masai. Italy brings a trio that could all land in the top five: Lorenzo Cagnati, Cesare Maestri and Xavier Chevrier.

Women — Leading contenders include Susanna Saapunki (FIN) and Elle Twentyman (GBR). Kenya’s speed unit of Gloria Chebet, Joyce Muthoni and Valentine Rutto will animate the race early, with Anna Gibson (USA) adding range. France’s Nélie Clément is a genuine sleeper pick who can disrupt the podium late

SHORT TRAIL (~44–45 KM)

The alpine marathon profile — long climbs, broken rhythm, and technical footing — traditionally favors efficient climbers who can still close fast.

• Men — Spain’s Manuel Merillas fronts the hosts; Italy counters with Davide Magnini and Luca Del Pero. Add Ruy Ueda (JPN), Thomas Roach (GBR) and Spain’s Andreu Blanes or Nicolas Molina for a deep podium mix.
• Women — Please pencil in these standouts: Spain’s Sara Alonso; Naomi Lang (GBR), outstanding on technical ground; Germany’s Daniela Oemus; Romania’s Denisa Dragomir; Switzerland’s Maude Mathys and Theresa Leboeuf; and Sweden’s multi-discipline ace Tove Alexandersson.

LONG TRAIL (~82 KM)

The championship grand tour of the valley demands patience, fueling discipline and technical nous.

• Men: A heavyweight cast includes Jim Walmsley (USA), Adam Peterman (USA), Benjamin Roubiol (FRA), Andreas Reiterer (ITA) and Zach Miller (USA). Italy’s Francesco Puppi — a world-class performer from mountain classic up through long trail — adds a fascinating all-terrain card to the men’s race.
• Women: European squads bring major depth: Katie Schide from USA, Katharina Hartmuth and Ida-Sophie Hegemann front Germany’s challenge; France lines up Hillary Gerardi and Marion Delespierre; Italy counters with Giuditta Turini and Martina Valmassoi. Agathe Bes (FRA) and Jazmine Lowther (CAN) round out a compelling podium conversation.

All images: © Marco Gulberti