The 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships are set to commence on September 25 in Canfranc, Spain, promising a race packed with tactical insights and athlete performances that seasoned ultrarunners and trail runners should closely observe. The championship features an uphill race, starting from the Hotel Santa Cristina, a shift from the Canfranc International Railway Station, ascending a course that spans 6.4 kilometers with an elevation gain of 990 meters. This configuration not only tests the physical limits of the competitors but also their strategic planning, particularly regarding pacing and energy management.
This iteration of the championships marks the third occasion where the World Mountain Running Championships and Trail World Championships collaborate, merging Uphill and Up/Down races with Long Trail and Short Trail formats. The inclusion of races under a singular umbrella enhances the competitive landscape, elevating the stakes and drawing participants from 49 countries in the men’s race and 44 in the women’s. A prize purse of €24,000 across both categories, with €5,000 awarded to the victors, further intensifies the competitive atmosphere.
As for the athletes, Patrick Kipngeno from Kenya stands out. Having already secured two world titles at the WMRC Uphill in previous years, he will look to establish an unprecedented three-peat. Kipngeno’s form has remained stellar, complemented by recent strong finishes in various trail running events, suggesting an intelligent race strategy will be paramount for maintaining his lead. His performances indicate he arrives fit and eager to defend his title, understanding that pacing will be crucial given the unique uphill challenge of the course.
On the men’s side, Rémi Bonnet of Switzerland will be an athlete to watch, despite his recent struggles with injury and form. Past performances have shown he can outpace Kipngeno, but whether he can regain that caliber so soon remains in question. If Bonnet can start the race, his tactics will likely revolve around his exceptional climbing ability and adaptability to the course’s elevation changes, which is critical for maintaining speed on ascents.
In the women’s race, Philaries Kisang emerges as a prominent figure after securing silver at the previous championship. Her recent victories, including the Vertical Nasego race, put her in a favorable position ahead of the event. The absence of Andrea Mayr, the defending champion, opens the field further, providing Kisang with a unique opportunity to exploit. If healthy, tales of her endurance and tactical pacing could potentially see her advance into the top position.
Scout Adkin of Great Britain will also be advancing from a strong performance history in mountain running. Although she missed the finals due to injury, if she can tap into her previous successes and maintain an intelligent pacing strategy, Adkin could see a significant improvement from her 2023 eighth-place finish. Thus, attention must be paid to how she navigates the course’s demands while potentially battling for podium placement with other established athletes like Francesca Ghelfi of Italy and Maude Mathys from Switzerland, both of whom have shown consistent strong performances in uphill races.
The course in Canfranc will not only challenge the competitors’ climbing capabilities but will require careful energy management and pacing tactics, particularly during the critically steep sections. Successful competitors will likely adopt a gradual pace at the start to conserve energy for the latter part of the race, where many have reported significant drop-off in overall speed due to the physical strains of elevation gain.
An emerging trend among elite athletes has been the focused use of specialized gear designed for uphill running and trail racing. Lightweight footwear offering a balance of grip and support is essential, and innovations in breathable fabrics for apparel can provide an edge in temperature regulation on such a physically demanding course. Gear must also withstand variable weather conditions typical in mountainous regions. Strategy around gear selection increasingly influences performance outcomes, so engaging with the latest technology and their reliability under competitive conditions will be vital for serious athletes.
As the runners prepare for this championship event, understanding the implications of course changes, pacing strategies, and equipment choices will directly inform their competitive strategies. The importance of monitoring rivals’ performances in previous events, gauging their current form, and adjusting one’s own approach accordingly will play a pivotal role in determining success in such a high-caliber meeting.
With considerable insights gained from previous championships and ongoing evolution in training methodologies, athletes can effectively shape their approaches leading into such a critical race. As the competition unfolds, the strategic applications of pacing, course management, and gear will provide ample context for serious trail runners preparing for mountain ultras.
The key takeaway for seasoned athletes heading into these races is to maintain a keen awareness of personal capacity while staying adaptable—strategically adjusting plans based on the race dynamics and competitor behavior while conserving energy for crucial segments of the course.
