With sixty days remaining before the opening race, the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) enters the final phase of preparations for the Mountain Running World Cup  2026 — a season that reflects the sport’s continued global growth and competitive evolution.

The 27th edition of the World Cup will begin on 19 April 2026 with the São Brás Cross in Portugal, launching a circuit that spans four continents, ten countries, and sixteen races across three disciplines: Uphill, Classic Up & Down, and Long Distance.

Over nearly three decades, the WMRA World Cup has evolved from a European-based Grand Prix into a fully international competitive series operating under the recognition of World Athletics. The 2026 season further consolidates that transformation, combining established historic races with globally recognised modern venues.

The 2026 calendar connects diverse mountain environments and racing traditions across Europe, Asia, North America and beyond.

The season opens in Portugal with the São Brás Cross (Classic Up & Down), a 10.9 km course featuring approximately 628 metres of ascent and descent — a race that rewards balance, rhythm and efficiency in both climbing and downhill running.

One week later, the World Cup moves to China. The Beijing Changping Yanshou Trail Challenge hosts an Uphill race set against the mountainous landscape surrounding the Great Wall, followed by a demanding Classic Up & Down race (18 km / 1,275 m +/−) in the Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest.

In May, the circuit reaches the Canary Islands for the Transvulcania weekend in La Palma. The Uphill race climbs 1,248 metres over 7.3 km across volcanic terrain, while the 25 km +2,000 Long Distance race tests endurance across the island’s ridgelines and exposed sections.

North America hosts two key races at Broken Arrow event in PalisadesTahoe. Athletes will compete in the Ascent (5.8 km / 865 m) and the Broken Arrow Skyrace Long Distance event. Organisers have announced a total prize purse of $150,000, with $30,000 awarded to the winners of the 23 km race.

July brings the Grossglockner Mountain Run (Austria) — 13.3 km / 1,300 m +/− beneath Austria’s highest mountain — followed by the Vauban Mountain Trail in Briançon, France, combining technical climbing and descending across UNESCO-listed fortifications.

The second half of the season brings together some of mountain running’s most iconic and established races. Sierre-Zinal (Switzerland) marks its 52nd edition, reaffirming its status as one of the sport’s most prestigious long-distance events. In Italy, Trofeo Nasego (20.6 km / 1,300 m+) complements the Vertical Nasego, forming one of the most technically demanding weekends on the calendar. The Long Distance discipline will reach its conclusion in Poland at Maraton Trzech Jezior, which will serve as the decisive World Cup final for the Long Distance standings.

The 2026 World Cup concludes in Canada at Mont-Sainte-Anne (Québec). The MSA Vertical (5 km / 800 m+) and the Classic Up & Down final (11 km / 800 m +/−) mark the first time the World Cup visits Canada, closing the season in a venue internationally recognised for mountain sports.

The WMRA’s international reach is powered by strong partnerships. The Valsir S.p.A. industrial group continues its long‑term commitment to the World Cup. Founded in Italy in 1987, Valsir is now part of the Silmar Group and has over 3 500 employees worldwide. Its experience in engineering reliable systems mirrors the trust and consistency required in mountain running, and the company is also the organiser of Trofeo Nasego and Vertical Nasego.

Turismo Centro de Portugal serves as the Title Sponsor of the Classic Up & Down discipline, underscoring the region’s long‑standing role in hosting and promoting mountain running. Centro de Portugal hosted the Montemuro Vertical Run in previous seasons and will again welcome the World Cup opener at São Brás. A major Chinese partner is expected to be announced soon, adding another exciting chapter to this global story.

For the first time in the World Cup’s 27‑year history, each discipline will have its own prize fund. Dedicated category prize money will be awarded for the Uphill, Classic Up & Down and Long‑Distance categories. The WMRA estimates total prize money of approximately €250 000, with €50 000 earmarked for discipline and final awards. This category prize money complements the existing overall awards to the top 10 men and top 10 women.

The WMRA also invests heavily in clean sport. Up to 30 % of every race’s registration fees will be reinvested into anti‑doping controls to ensure that testing is conducted at every World Cup race. Increased travel support, made possible by the series’ partners, will assist athletes from all regions in reaching races worldwide.

With the strongest fields in recent memory, the 2026 World Cup promises tight battles across all disciplines. Looking at the top‑10 overall finishers from the 2024 and 2025 seasons, several names stand out as likely contenders:

• Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (KEN- Run2gether -On) – The 2025 World Cup champion secured his title with a record‑breaking win at Smarna Gora and consistently placed near the top throughout the year. His explosive climbing and descending make him a favourite in both classic and long races.
• Paul Machoka (KEN- Atletica Saluzzo- Nnormal) – Runner‑up in 2025 and fourth overall in 2024, Machoka’s steady performances across disciplines suggest he could push for the overall title.
• Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN- Run2gether -On) and Michael Selelo Saoli (KEN- Run2gether -On) – Both men finished in the top five in 2024 and remained in contention in 2025. Their versatility across vertical and long courses will be key.
• Andrea Elia (ITA- ASD La Recastello | Topo Athletic Italia) and Lukas Ehrle (GER- ASICS) – As leading Europeans in 2025, they bring technical precision on alpine courses and could capitalise on the European leg of the calendar.
• Scout Adkin (GBR- HOKA EU) – The women’s World Cup champion in both 2024 and 2025, Adkin is renowned for her consistency and her ability to excel in every discipline.
• Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (KEN- Atletica Saluzzo) and Gloria Chebet (KEN- Run2gether) – Finishing second and third overall in 2025, they demonstrated powerful uphill running and race‑winning speed.
• Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN- Nnormal) and Philaries Jeruto Kisang (KEN Run2gether) – Runner‑up and third in the 2024 standings, both remain dangerous contenders.
• Andrea Mayr (AUT) – A multiple world champion and frequent winner at Vertical Nasego, Mayr’s experience and climbing prowess continue to make her a threat.
• North American contenders – With the World Cup returning to North America, expect strong showings from Remi Leroux (CAN- Brooks), Tyler McCandless (USA),  Christian Allen (USA- ACG), Meikael Beaudoin Rousseau (CAN- Brooks), who finished in the men’s top 10 in 2024, and from rising stars Courtney Coppinger (USA- Brooks) and Anna Gibson (USA- Brooks), who made headlines with podium finishes in 2025. The generous prize purse and home‑crowd support at Palisade Tahoe could give U.S. athletes an edge.

The depth of talent across Africa, Europe, North America and Asia means that the 2026 titles may not be decided until the final race in Canada. With new category prizes, travel support and an expanded global calendar, the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup is poised for its most compelling season yet.

In just sixty days the world’s best mountain runners will converge in Portugal to begin a season that spans ten countries and offers over 240 000 € in prize money. Fans—especially those in North America—should mark their calendars for the June Broken Arrow weekend and the October Canadian finals, which promise dramatic racing and festive atmospheres. Stay tuned to WMRA channels for live coverage and updates as the mountains decide the champions of 2026.

IN MOUNTAIN RUNNING WE TRUST.