From the landscapes of Spain’s Basque Country to the scenic heights of Italy, this weekend in running showcased remarkable talents in two prestigious events: the Golden Trail World Series and the Mountain Running World Cup. Both competitions featured standout performances, elevating the excitement in the running community.
Golden Trail World Series: Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon – Zegama, Spain
The Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon, a hallmark of the Golden Trail World Series, was a fiercely contested event this year, marking its 24th running. This full marathon spans 42 kilometers (approximately 26 miles) and winds through the stunning Basque landscapes. The race drew an astounding 12,000 entrants for just 225 coveted spots, highlighting its prominence in the trail running circuit.
Women’s Race
In the women’s competition, seasoned athlete Sara Alonso of Spain captured her inaugural victory at Zegama with a time of 4:27:25. Her performance exemplified endurance as she led a formidable group of Spanish runners, who collectively dominated the top positions. Judith Wyder from Switzerland took second place with a finish of 4:29:47, while fellow Spaniard Malen Osa rounded out the top three in 4:31:18.
The final standings for the women’s top 10 were:
- Sara Alonso (Spain) – 4:27:25
- Judith Wyder (Switzerland) – 4:29:47
- Malen Osa (Spain) – 4:31:18
- Rosa Lara Feliu (Spain) – 4:32:00
- Theres Leboeuf (Switzerland) – 4:33:29
- Ikram Rharsalla Laktab (Spain) – 4:37:39
- Ida Amelie Robsahm (Norway) – 4:38:41
- Oihana Kortazar (Spain) – 4:42:59
- Patricia Pineda (Spain) – 4:44:22
- Marta Martínez (Spain) – 4:44:29
Men’s Race
The men’s race was equally thrilling as Morocco’s Elhousine Elazzaoui, who had previously secured a second-place finish at last week’s Golden Trail World Series race, stormed to victory with a blistering time of 3:43:28, dominating the field by over seven minutes. Following Elazzaoui were Spain’s Andreu Blanes in 3:50:53 and Daniel Pattis from Italy in 3:51:40.
The men’s top 10 standings were:
- Elhousine Elazzaoui (Morocco) – 3:43:28
- Andreu Blanes (Spain) – 3:50:53
- Daniel Pattis (Italy) – 3:51:40
- Luca Del Pero (Italy) – 3:54:19
- Lorenzo Beltrami (Italy) – 3:54:58
- Thomas Cardin (France) – 3:55:34
- Antonio Martínez Pérez (Spain) – 3:56:42
- Nicolás Molina (Spain) – 3:58:51
- Stian Angermund (Norway) – 3:59:46
- Marcin Kubica (Poland) – 3:59:50
Mountain Running World Cup – Casto, Italy
The Mountain Running World Cup featured two thrilling events: the Vertical Nasego and the Trofeo Nasego, taking place in the picturesque vistas of Casto, Italy. These races showcased some of the best mountain runners globally and melded speed with strength in uphill and downhill challenges.
Vertical Nasego Results
On Saturday, the Vertical Nasego race tested athletes with a physically demanding uphill course that spanned just 4.2 kilometers and ascended 1,000 meters. Kenyan runner Philaries Kisang showcased her prowess, clinching first place in 38:55 while last year’s series champion, Scout Adkin, secured second in 39:23. The top three included Francesca Ghelfi of Italy in third, finishing in 40:40.
Trofeo Nasego Highlights
The following day featured the longer Trofeo Nasego, an up-and-down race of approximately 21 kilometers. Kisang and Adkin once again found themselves neck and neck, with Kisang emerging victorious in a close finish at 1:46:16, just six seconds ahead of Adkin. The defending champion, Joyce Muthoni Njeru, finished third in 1:51:00.
Conclusion
This weekend’s events in Spain and Italy have highlighted the ever-growing prominence of trail running and mountain sports on the global stage. With exceptional performances from athletes like Sara Alonso, Elhousine Elazzaoui, and Philaries Kisang, the competitions not only provide thrilling entertainment but also signify the endurance and dedication required in the world of running.
For more insights and updates on upcoming races, visit iRunFar.
