Tove Alexandersson recently made headlines with her remarkable performance at the 2025 Trail World Championships Short Trail in Canfranc, Spain, where she dominated the competition with a substantial 34-minute lead over the second-place finisher. Her victory is notable not just for its magnitude but also for the workload she balanced in the weeks leading up to the race. Coming off a fall that required stitches, Alexandersson promptly dived into ski mountaineering training with the Swedish national team on the Stelvio glacier in Italy. The two sports, although fundamentally different, demand similar physical and mental fortitude, which Alexandersson deftly manages, describing her varied training as a refreshing change that still allows for recovery from running.
Her varied athletic career—spanning multiple disciplines including ski orienteering and skyrunning—provides unique insights into an athlete’s transition from one competitive domain to another. At 33, Alexandersson has already garnered 23 world titles in foot orienteering alone, showcasing a competitive base that possibly gives her an edge in mountain running. This breadth of experience seems to enrich her tactical approach on race day. Unlike athletes who focus solely on a single discipline, Alexandersson capitalizes on her well-honed skills in navigation, pacing, and endurance developed through orienteering.
Preparation strategies prior to the Trail World Championships revealed Alexandersson’s tactical nous. Ahead of the race, she allocated dedicated training time on the course, emphasizing the importance of familiarization with specific terrain features that may not traditionally classify as trail running elements. Notably, her decision to participate in the Canfranc-Canfranc Marathon as a lead-in race served a dual purpose: examining her stamina over a longer distance and testing her tactical approaches amidst the course’s complexity. Such decisions underscore the importance of course reconnaissance and adaptive race strategies for any serious trail runner.
Her experience with nutrition also serves as a stark reminder of the learning curve that comes with transitioning into longer races. In her inaugural 2017 trail race, Alexandersson struggled with energy management, reinforcing the need for effective nutrition plans tailored towards endurance requirements. The evolution of her strategies—such as increased caloric intake and the incorporation of electrolytes—reflects a critical aspect of training: understanding one’s energy needs and tailoring preparation accordingly.
Race execution is equally crucial, and Alexandersson’s ability to maintain leadership from the start speaks to her effective pacing strategy. As she opened a three-minute gap by the top of the first ascent, it became clear that her preparations extended beyond mere physical training; she was strategically utilizing her lead to mitigate risk. During the second descent, she faced a precarious situation after a fall but made a swift decision to prioritize her immediate recovery over speed, demonstrating how the best racers can negotiate risk while maintaining performance levels.
Athletes aspiring to similar heights must remain attuned to the shifting dynamics of trail racing, such as evolving course profiles and race formats. Alexandersson’s foray into the sport initially involved balancing her commitment to orienteering with opportunistic entries into trail races, highlighting the elastic nature of competitive schedules among elite athletes. With the growing popularity of various trail running events, such as the Sierre-Zinal and Zegama Marathon, athletes would benefit from strategically positioning themselves for participation in high-stakes races that could enhance their visibility and competitiveness.
Looking ahead, Alexandersson’s pathway may encourage runners to consider seasonal training calendars that allow for exploration of different race types within their skill set. The interplay between orienteering and trail running emphasizes the versatility that can be beneficial for performance in rugged mountain locales where navigation and technical trail skills are vital. This blending of disciplines may not only mitigate the risk of burnout but also foster growth and adaptability—qualities that are essential for any serious mountain runner.
For experienced trail and ultrarunners preparing to tackle challenging races, embracing varied training methodologies while emphasizing nutrition, pacing, and risk management can yield potent results. By learning from athletes like Alexandersson who illustrate the effectiveness of course-specific training and tactical foresight, one can strategically prepare for not just participation but success within the increasing complexities of the trail running landscape. Developing a keen understanding of race strategy in conjunction with endurance capabilities will ultimately define performance on race day.
