Great Britain’s Scout Adkin (HOKA EU) and Kenya’s Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (Run2gether/ON) have been confirmed as the overall winners of the 2025 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup after a season that spanned eight countries and fifteen races. Adkin took the women’s title with 388 points thanks to her remarkable consistency across the year, despite being sidelined with injury for the final races. Kiriago, meanwhile, sealed the men’s crown with 388 points after a decisive performance on the very last weekend, overturning fellow Kenyan Paul Machoka, who had led for much of the summer.

“The courses this year have been some of the most challenging I’ve faced, but also the most rewarding,” said Adkin earlier this season. Her campaign combined wins, podiums and smart racing, creating a cushion strong enough to resist her absence from the finale. Kiriago was equally reflective: “I knew everything would come down to the last weekend. To take the title and break a record at the final race is something I will never forget.”

Full results and categories here: https://www.wmra.info/world-cup-races/

The season began in early May in Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Romania, where the Zmeu X-Fest brought the World Cup to the Carpathians for the first time. The course, nicknamed “The Wall,” was as brutal as it was spectacular. Scout Adkin launched her campaign in style, winning the women’s race by a clear margin and even finishing inside the men’s top ten.                                    

Paul Machoka struck first for Kenya, triumphing in the men’s race with a controlled and powerful run that hinted at the battle to come.

Just weeks later, the World Cup returned to Italy for the famous Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego double weekend. The uphill specialists came alive on the Saturday climb, where Richard Omaya Atuya of Kenya broke away to win the Vertical in record time. On the women’s side, Philaries Jeruto Kisang proved strongest.

Sunday’s Trofeo Nasego produced classic duels. Kisang doubled up with a second win, only seconds clear of Adkin, while Kiriago dominated the men’s field with a commanding solo victory. Machoka chased hard to keep the overall lead, while Michael Selelo Saoli announced himself with a strong third.

In June the circuit moved to Zakopane, Poland, for the Tatra Fest, a long-distance challenge across 27 kilometres of alpine terrain. Both Adkin and Machoka produced textbook performances. Adkin extended her advantage with a composed win, while Machoka made light of the steep climbs to confirm his reputation as the early man to beat.                   

Later that month, the World Cup made history with its first ever races on American soil at the Broken Arrow in California. The Friday uphill “Ascent” was a celebration for the home crowd, as American runners Christian Allen and Anna Gibson rose to the occasion with memorable wins.

On Sunday, the 23K Skyrace showed off the global stars. Joyce Muthoni Njeru of Kenya flew to victory in a new course best, while Morocco’s Elhousine Elazzaoui edged out Philemon Kiriago in a thrilling sprint finish that had fans on their feet. With Machoka still clinging to the men’s lead and Adkin consolidating her own, the series reached its halfway point on a knife edge.

July saw another landmark as the Cup visited China for the first time. The Chongli Mountain Running Festival hosted both an uphill and a long up-and-down race. Valentine Jepkoech Rutto made it her stage, taking back-to-back victories in the women’s contests. Adkin followed her home twice to hold onto the leader’s jersey, while Gloria Chebet collected valuable points in third.

Germany’s Lukas Ehrle surprised the field by winning the uphill men’s race, while Michael Selelo Saoli struck back in the longer race the following day. Machoka finished second to keep control of the standings, but Kiriago and Saoli were closing in.

Two weeks later, the French Alps welcomed the World Cup to Briançon for a weekend of steep climbs and fortress-lined trails. In the vertical, local favourite Christel Dewalle thrilled the home supporters by defeating Adkin to take the women’s win, while Atuya once again reigned supreme uphill in the men’s race.

Sunday’s Grand Parcours belonged to Nélie Clément, who earned France its first women’s victory of the season. The men’s contest was all Kenyan, with Saoli, Kiriago, and teammates sweeping the podium and cutting Machoka’s overall advantage to the slimmest of margins.

The following weekend in Premana brought the Giir di Mont double. Adkin shone again by winning the uphill, further strengthening her grip on the women’s title. Atuya completed another uphill masterclass in the men’s VK.

The legendary long race the next day delivered fireworks. Valentine Rutto shattered the women’s course record to win by minutes, while Italy’s Davide Magnini sent the home crowd wild with a famous men’s victory. Machoka’s fourth place gave him critical points, keeping his season alive with only a few races left.

August’s Sierre-Zinal brought one of the fastest fields of the year. Kenya’s Joyline Chepngeno defended her women’s crown with another sub-three-hour performance. In the men’s race, Philemon Kiriago returned to his best, storming home for victory in front of a packed Swiss crowd. Crucially, Machoka faltered here, and Kiriago moved into the overall lead for the first time.

The season closed in Slovenia with back-to-back classics: Velika Planina on Saturday and Šmarna Gora on Sunday. Adkin, recovering from injury, had to withdraw, leaving her rivals to chase. Finland’s Susanna Saapunki claimed the uphill victory in Velika Planina, while Atuya once again excelled in the men’s. Kiriago placed third to edge further ahead of Machoka, who could not start due to injury.

On Sunday, the historic Šmarna Gora race brought the season to its climax. Gloria Chebet ran a flawless race to win the women’s title on the day, while Valentine Rutto secured enough points for second overall. Despite her absence, Adkin’s season-long tally kept her clear at the top, confirming her as women’s champion.

In the men’s race, Kiriago attacked on the final climb and powered to a new course record, sealing his overall victory in emphatic style.

As the curtain falls on the 2025 season, the WMRA extended heartfelt thanks to Valsir, whose continued support has been essential in delivering this global series, as well as to every race organiser, volunteer, and fan who brought the atmosphere to life.

The athletes of 2025 have left their mark on mountain running history, from Romania’s forests to the heights of Switzerland and the traditions of Slovenia. Now, attention turns to the 27th edition of the WMRA World Cup in 2026, which promises new challenges, fresh rivalries and the same passion for the mountains.

Until then, the WMRA celebrates Scout Adkin and Philemon Ombogo Kiriago – worthy champions of an unforgettable season.