The 2025 Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon, a formidable event within the mountain running calendar, has offered compelling insights into performance and strategy that experienced trail and ultrarunners can leverage in their training and race planning. Held on May 25 in the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park in Spain’s Basque Country, this 42-kilometer race featured approximately 2,700 meters of climbing, presenting a multifaceted course known for its technical challenges and unpredictable weather.
The race unfolded in a climate that, while often volatile, benefitted this year from a recent spell of dry weather. This contributed to better trail conditions, allowing for faster paces over key segments that are typically muddied and slippery. This detail is particularly relevant for runners preparing for future events, as it emphasizes the role that weather can play in race execution. Understanding local climate conditions and their historical influence on race day can aid in formulating a specific and adaptive strategy when facing similar terrains.
Moroccan runner Elhousine Elazzaoui, who won the men’s race in a time of 3:43:28, executed a well-timed race strategy that veteran ultrarunners might find instructive. His approach involved a conservative start, maintaining contact with key competitors before seizing the lead in the latter part of the race, specifically after the major climb around the 30-kilometer mark. This type of pacing is often discussed as a preferred strategy among seasoned athletes, particularly when tackling rocky terrain where managing energy output can be crucial. Elazzaoui’s ability to evaluate the field and time his move underscores the importance of situational awareness and tactical decision-making in long-distance racing.
Andreu Blanes, another key competitor from Spain, established an early lead but ultimately could not maintain his advantage against Elazzaoui’s finishing kick, surrendering second place with a time of 3:50:53. His performance serves as a reminder that aggressive early racing can lead to fatigue and diminished returns over the final kilometers, especially in a demanding course such as Zegama. This may inform race tactics for runners targeting similar ultra events; a well-structured plan that includes energy management and realistic pacing standards can significantly impact overall performance.
On the women’s side, Sara Alonso of Spain demonstrated her local familiarity by leading from start to finish, clocking in at 4:27:25. Her knowledge of the course—a factor that often plays a critical role in competitive mountain races—allowed her to optimize her pacing strategy, pulling away decisively early on and maintaining a buffer ahead of her competitors. This emphasizes the advantage of developing a thorough understanding of a course’s nuances, including key technical sections and elevation changes, which can inform both pacing and mental preparation.
Alonso’s fellow competitors, Judith Wyder and Malen Osa, concluded their races in second and third places with times of 4:29:47 and 4:31:18, respectively. Their performances highlight the importance of being flexible in strategy. While Wyder initially kept pace with Alonso, her later ascent showed adaptability and resilience, particularly in navigating the final climbs. This aspect of performance—reacting to dynamic race conditions and other athletes’ paces—should be at the forefront of preparation for veteran runners.
Additionally, the race underscored how small shifts in gear can impact performance in races of this nature. The marathon produced favorable outcome scenarios that may stem from various interpretation points: understanding hydration needs, optimal gear choices, and pacing on technical descents or steep climbs can heavily influence finishing times. With rapid advancements in gear technology, being mindful of equipment selection—including shoes that offer grip while minimizing weight or packs designed for optimal hydration—could be vital for achieving both comfort and speed.
The 2025 Zegama Marathon serves as a pertinent case study for ultrarunners to analyze. Notably, the interplay of strategy, local conditions, and course familiarity may dictate performance at any given event. As seasoned runners, it is essential to approach forthcoming races with a holistic strategy that comprises timing, environmental factors, and tactical adjustments throughout the course.
A key takeaway for trail and ultrarunners preparing for upcoming mountain races is the importance of course familiarity combined with a strategic energy management plan. Understanding one’s pacing capabilities against the varying challenges the course presents can maximize performance and pave the way for competitive results. This disciplined approach, married with attentiveness to gear and environmental factors, can be effectively employed in any mountain ultrarunning endeavor.
