WMRA WORLD RANKING: A REFLECTION OF THE SPORT’S DIVERSITY

The WMRA World Ranking captures the world’s leading mountain runners across every discipline — from short, steep uphill specialists to long-distance performers — highlighting the true breadth of talent in the sport.

In the current ranking, Philemon Kiriago (KEN) leads the men’s standings with 562 points, followed by Paul Machoka (KEN) and Richard Omaya Atuya (KEN). Among the women, Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (KEN) tops the table ahead of Scout Adkin (GBR) and Gloria Chebet (KEN).

This ranking mirrors the performances of 2025’s most successful athletes. Philemon Kiriago, the 2025 WMRA World Cup Champion and World Champion in the Classic Up & Downhill race at the WMTRC Canfranc-Pirineos, exemplifies consistency across the series.

On the women’s side, Nina Engelhard (GER) — ranked 5th — showcased her quality despite a limited race calendar, having previously excelled at the 2024 WMRA World Cup stage at Grossglockner Mountainrun (Austria) and claimed two medals at the WMTRC in CanfrancPirineos 2025. Her results, along with those of Andrea Mayr (AUT) and Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN), highlight how the ranking represents not only frequency of competition but also the depth of performance across distances.

THREE DISCIPLINES, ONE GLOBAL SERIES

Race organisers joining the World Cup can apply in one or more of WMRA’s three disciplines, each offering unique racing experiences and challenges.

- Uphill (3–12 km): Featuring intense elevation gain between 500 m+ and 1250 m+, these races test pure climbing power.
Races: Grossglockner Mountainrun and Vertical Nasego — iconic uphill challenges that define the discipline.

- Classic Up & Downhill (9–21 km): Blending climbs and descents, these races highlight technical skill and rhythm.
Races: Šmarna Gora Race or Vauban Mountain Trail — fast, dynamic races where World Cup points are often decided.

- Long Distance (22–45 km): Demanding endurance and strategy, these races often resemble marathon-length adventures through mountain terrain.
Races: Broken Arrow, Sierre-Zinal or Giir di Mont where stamina meets elevation.

Each of these disciplines contributes directly to the WMRA World Ranking, which aggregates results across the circuit and offers a transparent reflection of global performance.

Nina Engelhard wins the Uphill WMTRC at CanfrancPirineos 2025. WMRA- Marco Gulberti

HOW THE WMRA RANKING WORKS

The WMRA World Ranking is a rolling ranking — meaning it updates live, every day. Points from exactly 365 days ago automatically drop out of the total and only results from the last 364 days are counted. In practice, if a race took place 365 days ago, it no longer contributes to an athlete’s Current World Ranking.

This system ensures that the table always reflects who is strongest right now, based on consistent form over the past year.

What sets the WMRA World Ranking apart is its transparency and accessibility. The calculation of points is fully explained and publicly available, allowing athletes, organisers and fans to clearly understand how rankings are determined avoiding closed or subjective criteria. Every race and performance counts in a measurable, comparable way, creating a fair and data-driven reflection of global performance.

Within this framework, the ranking provides several distinct views:

- Current World Ranking: The athlete’s position based on all results from the past 365 days, updated daily as older results roll off.
- Best Ranking (past 12 months): The highest position achieved by an athlete at any point within the last 365 days; this changes on the day their best result becomes 365 days old.
- Best Lifetime Ranking: The athlete’s all-time best-ever position in the WMRA World Ranking.
- Calendar Year Ranking: The athlete’s ranking for a fixed year (1 January–31 December), showing their final position within that specific season.

WMRA- Marco Gulberti

A CALL TO RACE ORGANISERS

With the registration window closing soon, race organisers are encouraged to submit their applications and join a circuit that has become the beating heart of global mountain running.

By joining the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup, organisers gain visibility within the international calendar, attract elite athletes — including those topping the WMRA World Ranking — and play a role in shaping the sport’s next chapter.

LOOKING AHEAD

More details about the 2026 WMRA World Cup — including the full race calendar, new destinations and athlete line-ups — will be unveiled soon. What’s already certain is that the upcoming season will continue to celebrate the essence of mountain running: endurance, diversity and passion at every altitude.

- Registration closes: 21 November 2025
- Apply now: https://www.wmra.info/about/documents/mountain-running-world-cup/
- View the WMRA World Ranking: ranking.wmra.info