• Since its creation in 1974, Sierre-Zinal has grown into one of the most iconic and prestigious events in global trail running and has been a permanent fixture on the Golden Trail World Series calendar since the circuit's launch in 2018.
• "The Race of the Five 4,000-Metre Peaks" will be the fifth stop of the 2026 GTWS season on August 8th, featuring a fast and explosive 31-kilometre course through the spectacular mountains of the Anniviers Valley.
• "The Golden Trail World Series has taken the race to another level internationally. It has significantly increased the visibility of Sierre-Zinal far beyond Switzerland and helped establish the event as one of the benchmark races in global trail running," say the organisers.

For decades, whenever the word "Kenya" was mentioned in connection with running, the conversation revolved almost exclusively around road racing and track & field. Marathons, half marathons, world records, and athletes who seemed to operate on an entirely different—elite—level.

The mountains were a different world altogether, with their own rich history, unique culture, and iconic champions. Italians, Spaniards, Swiss, French, British, and American runners dominated for many years, enjoying the advantage of having grown up in the mountains, mastering every aspect of climbing, descending, and navigating technical trails.

Για δεκαετίες, όταν ακουγόταν η λέξη “Κένυα” όσο αφορά το τρέξιμο, η συζήτηση αφορούσε σχεδόν αποκλειστικά τους αγώνες ασφάλτου και την πίστα στον στίβο. Μαραθώνιοι, ημιμαραθώνιοι, παγκόσμια ρεκόρ και αθλητές που έμοιαζαν να κινούνται σε ένα εντελώς διαφορετικό – κορυφαίο - επίπεδο.

Τα βουνά ήταν ένας διαφορετικός κόσμος, με τη δική του μεγάλη ιστορία, τη δική του κουλτούρα και τους δικούς του πρωταγωνιστές. Ιταλοί, Ισπανοί, Ελβετοί, Γάλλοι, Βρετανοί και Αμερικανοί αθλητές κυριάρχησαν για πολλά χρόνια, έχοντας το πλεονέκτημα ότι μεγάλωσαν μέσα στα βουνά, γνωρίζοντας κάθε λεπτομέρεια της κίνησης σε ανηφόρες, καταβάσεις και τεχνικά μονοπάτια.

The wild peaks of Ledro Sky Trentino (21.5 km and 1,777 meters of elevation gain), the second stop of the 2026 Golden Trail World Series (GTWS), further strengthen Caroline Kimutai’s (Salomon) bid for the overall title after her victory in Italy. The Kenyan secures her third win in the circuit—following Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race and Sierre-Zinal in 2025—and firmly establishes herself as one of the top contenders. Reigning champion Madalina Florea (Scott), who finished second, and 2024 winner Joyce Njeru (NNormal), third, also enter the title race in their season debut.

One month to go until the 2026 Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) gets underway. On May 17, the circuit lifts the curtain in one of the most iconic races in global trail running: Zegama-Aizkorri (Spain). Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the season opener sets the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the most competitive seasons in GTWS history, bringing together a field of athletes that includes former GTWS champions, GTWS race winners, world champions, international circuits title-holders, Olympians, and winners of the sport’s most prestigious events.

Throughout the season, more than 25 nationalities will be represented across the seven races that form the road to the Muju Trail Grand Finale in South Korea (October 24–25). Pre-registration figures underline the extraordinary level of competition, with the average ITRA score reaching 932 points for the men’s Top 10, while the women’s Top 10 averages 801 points.