This weekend marks a significant event on the trail running calendar with the return of the Zegama-Aizkorri marathon, a race renowned for its challenging terrain and technical demands. Set in the picturesque Basque Country, the course spans 42.195 kilometers with an elevation gain of 2,736 meters, weaving through the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park. As experienced trail and ultrarunners know, the Zegama-Aizkorri is not only a race but a test of one’s endurance and tactical acumen, given the iconic Basque ridgeline’s reputation for its ruggedness.
Lead contenders Sara Alonso from Spain and Morocco’s Elhousine Elazzaoui epitomize the caliber of athletes gathered for this event. Alonso seeks to reassert her position in the Golden Trail World Series, having previously performed strongly in Kobe and at the Great Wall Trail. Her intimate knowledge of the course may grant her a tactical edge over the competition, especially when managing the various segments that challenge even seasoned runners.
The race kicks off on Sunday, May 25, at 09:00 CEST, and managing one’s pacing in this early start will be crucial, especially for those accustomed to mid-morning or afternoon events. The live stream on the GTWS YouTube channel will offer insights into the athletes’ strategies as they tackle notorious sections such as the ascent to Aratz, which is among the toughest climbs on the course. Runners must be prepared to navigate varying terrains, from steep ascents to technical descents, requiring a focus on not just physical endurance but also mental resilience.
The course itself is laden with legendary segments that necessitate skillful navigation and a careful approach to pacing. Starting at Zegama, the run quickly ascends to Otzaurte by the seventh kilometer, setting a demanding tone. Following this, competitors face the Ultzama–Atabarreta stretch and delve deep into the race’s psychological aspects as they approach the crowd-favored Sancti Spiritu. The roar of support from spectators can provide an adrenaline boost, but runners must remain grounded to manage the unforgiving climbs that follow.
Particularly noteworthy is the Aitxuri descent, where precision is key to maintaining speed while managing the risks of injury. As the race progresses, establishing a rhythm becomes paramount, especially after the halfway mark. This is where established runners like Judith Wyder and Miao Yao have shown their prowess in prior competitions. Their tactical awareness and abilities to sustain a solid pace during long climbs will likely play a crucial role in their strategies for this year’s race.
Competitors often highlight the importance of leveraging their strengths and recognizing the terrain’s demands. For instance, Sylvia Nordskar, the defending champion, exemplifies this balance with her exceptional climbing and descending capabilities. Those preparing for similar ultra events should analyze how to conserve energy during the climbs, allowing for a more aggressive approach on descents where speed can be reclaimed efficiently, thus optimizing overall race time.
On the men’s side, the absence of Kilian Jornet shifts the focus to others like Elazzaoui, who is familiar with the podium’s pressure after finishing second last year. Runners in the field, including Luca Del Pero and Manuel Merillas, need to assess their positioning and pace—strategizing based on their prior experiences on this technical course while adjusting their plans to current race dynamics.
The course record for Zegama-Aizkorri, held since 2022, serves as a benchmark for these elite athletes, pushing them to strive for personal bests while also factoring in the unpredictable nature of mountain races—such as weather changes or trail conditions. For athletes considering similar races, understanding how to adapt pacing strategies in response to environmental factors is critical.
As racers encounter the final segments, which offer relatively runnable terrain but crucial climbs like that to Andraitz, maintaining focus becomes imperative. Runners should consider how they distribute their energy throughout the race, as the last kilometers often test mental toughness and physical endurance—a reality that often shapes the outcomes of races in this challenging arena.
Ultimately, as participants prepare for the Zegama-Aizkorri and similar mountainous ultras, the core takeaway is the importance of intelligent pacing and the necessity to adapt one’s strategy based on the course’s demands and one’s own physiological limits. A runner’s ability to read the terrain, assess their energy levels, and predict the capabilities of their competitors can define their experience on race day and, by extension, their overall performance in mountain ultras.
