The Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) officially unveils its 2026 calendar. Entering its ninth season, the circuit will travel across three continents and eight countries from May to October, intro-ducing three new venues and visiting two countries for the very first time.

With a calendar that combines exciting new events alongside some of trail running’s most icon-ic and historic races, the 2026 season sets a new benchmark for the sport. Increased prize money, key sporting developments, continued broadcast innovation, and enhanced live, digital and on-demand content across GTWS channels, WBD platforms (HBO Max, Eurosport, discovery+, and TNT Sports), as well as extensive international exposure through a strong global network of broadcast partners. 

AN ICONIC OPENING
The 2026 GTWS season will get off to a spectacular start on May 17 at Zegama-Aizkorri (Spain). Widely regarded as the most iconic mountain marathon in the world, the race celebrates its 25th anniversary this year and once again places the small Basque town of Zegama at the very centre of the global trail running spotlight.

The course traverses four of the highest peaks in the Basque Country, but it is the race's unparalleled atmosphere that truly sets it apart, with thousands of passionate fans lining the course and carrying athletes through legendary sections such as the iconic climb to Sancti Spiritu.

One week later, on May 24, the series moves to Valle di Ledro (Italy) for the second race of the season. After hosting the 2025 Grand Finale, Ledro Sky Trentino returns to the GTWS calendar with a demanding and highly technical course, featuring relentless climbs and descents between Cima Parì, Cima Sclapa and Cima d’Oro. Set in an area recognised by the UNESCO for its outstanding environmental value, the route offers spectacular scenery, including sections that pass through former World War I trenches.

GTWS MAKES ITS DEBUT IN CANADA
Following the opening European block, the GTWS will head to Canada for the first time on July 5, with the Quebec Mega Trail. The Canadian race features a spectacular 30-kilometre loop around Mont-Sainte-Anne and makes its GTWS debut after previously being part of the Golden Trail National Series (GTNS) between 2021 and 2023. Set on the most frequented trail network in Quebec, Quebec Mega Trail offers a legendary course that has helped shape the history of Canadian trail running, firmly establishing the Côte-de-Beaupré as the epicenter of the sport in the country.

Renowned for its exceptional variety of terrain, the route blends technical sections, demanding descents, exposed ridgelines and flowing singletrack, making the region a true paradise for outdoor sports enthusiasts. After its Canadian debut, the GTWS returns to Europe on August 1 for the Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail (Austria).

Introduced to the calendar in 2025, the race quickly revealed itself as a hidden gem set against the dramatic backdrops of the Austrian Tyrol. One of the season’s most alpine and high-altitude chal-lenges, the course combines exposed ridgelines with demanding technical sections on the descent to the valley. Just a few days later, the series crosses the border for one of the most eagerly anticipated races on the international trail running calendar.

The legendary Sierre-Zinal (Switzerland), the only event to have featured in every GTWS season since the circuit’s inception, will take place on August 8. Often referred to as “The race of the five 4000ers”, Sierre-Zinal is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious - and fiercely contested- trail races in the world. Each year, it brings together athletes from different disciplines, all chasing victory in the cathedral of trail running. As always, one of the major talking points will be whether anyone can challenge the iconic course records set by Kilian Jornet (2:25:34) and Maude Mathys (2:49:20) in 2024 and 2019 respectively.

AN ASIAN TRIPLE HEADER TO CLOSE THE SEASON
In 2026, the GTWS will further consolidate its growth in Asia, a key region for the championship that has experienced exponential growth in both participation and interest in trail running. The season will culminate in a decisive three-race Asian block, featuring a new venue in Japan and a first-ever visit to South Korea, which will host the Grand Finale.

The Asian triple header begins on September 20 at Myoko Trail (Japan). Japan returns to the GTWS calendar with an all-new race set around Suginohara Ski Resort, one of the country’s most renowned winter destinations. Surrounded by nature and mountains, the area is dominated by the Myoko Mountain Range, one of Japan’s 100 most famous mountain ranges. The course starts with a demanding climb into the majestic Myoko Mountains, followed by a steep descent offering panoramic views across the region, including Lake Nojiri. After looping back through the start/finish area, runners head towards the neighboring Ikenodaira Ski Resort for a second tough ascent into the Myoko range, before tackling a final steep downhill.

One week later, the GTWS returns to one of its most spectacular settings: the Great Wall of China. On September 27, the Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race will once again be held in one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Its debut in 2025 produced unforgettable images of athletes racing across the Wall's steep and uneven steps, blending China’s rich historical and cultural heritage with the modern spectacle of elite trail running. The race represents the final major opportunity for athletes to score valuable points ahead of the Grand Finale.

To close the 2026 season, the GTWS will visit South Korea for the first time, hosting the Grand Finale at Muju Trail. Set at the heart of Korea’s bid for the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, the course features a succession of ridgelines, steep gradients and highly technical trails through conifer forests and rocky terrain, passing ancient Buddhist temples and landscapes that reflect the country's most authentic character.

The GTWS 2026 Grand Finale will take place on October 24 (women’s race) and October 25 (men’s race) and will consist of a single, decisive race, with athletes able to earn up to 300 points. Muju Trail Grand Finale will bring together the Top 30 Men and Women in the overall rankings. In addition, winners of the Golden Trail National Series (GTNS) will earn a coveted Golden Ticket, granting them direct entry to the Grand Finale in South Korea. China, Australia, France, Italy, Poland, Spain and the Czech Republic have already announced the races at which these Golden Tickets will be awarded.

RAISING THE STAKES
Beyond the calendar itself, the 2026 GTWS season introduces a series of major developments designed to further strengthen the championship as a modern, global competition fully optimised for broadcast and aligned with the highest standards of elite trail running. Prize money will see a significant increase across all levels of competition in 2026, rising by 45% compared to 2025 and bringing the total prize purse to €435,000. Of this total, €30,000 will be awarded to the winners of the men’s and women’s overall rankings. The stakes are being raised not only financially, but also on the sporting side.

The championship will introduce a new strategic performance layer through uphill, downhill and sprint segments, each awarding bonus points towards the overall classification. This innovation is designed to intensify in-race competition, encourage tactical racing, and further enhance the live and broadcast viewing experience. In another landmark development, and for the first time in its history, the GTWS will introduce a team ranking. This classification will be calculated based on the points scored by the top two men and top two women from the same team at each race, adding a new dimension of collective strategy and competition to the series.

At the same time, and with the objective of safeguarding sporting integrity, the GTWS will significantly expand its anti-doping program in 2026. This will include an increased number of controls at each event, as well as enhanced out-of-competition testing throughout the season.

The 2025 season marked a record-breaking year for the GTWS, which saw more than 9,300 athletes from 63 nationalities take part in the GTWS, alongside unprecedented television and digital coverage that confirmed the championship's growing global reach.

Elhousine Elazzaoui (Morocco – Nnormal) and Madalina Florea (Romania – Scott) were crowned 2025 champions and will return in 2026 to defend their titles.

 
GTWS 2026 CALENDAR
• 17 May. Zegama – Aizkorri (Spain). 42 km / +2,736 m
• 24 May. Ledro Sky Trentino (Italy). 21,5 km / +1,777 m
• 5 July. Quebec Mega Trail (Canada). 32 km / +1,450 m
• 1 August. Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail (Austria). 23,5 km / +1,700 m
• 8 August. Sierre-Zinal (Switzerland). 31 km / +2,200 m
• 20 September. Myoko Trail (Japan). 23,5 km / +1,783 m
• 27 September. Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race (China). 24 km / +1,893 m
• 24-25 October. Muju Trail Grand Finale (South Korea). 26 km / +2,122 m