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Myoko Trail Opens a Decisive Asian Block in the GTWS
The Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) enter a decisive stage of the season with a demanding three-race Asian block that will take the world’s best trail runners to Japan, China and South Korea, the latter hosting the Grand Finale that will bring the 2026 season to a close in October.
The first stop in this crucial stretch will be Myoko Trail, the sixth race of the season, taking place in Japan on 20 September. Featuring 24.7 kilometres and 2,020 metres of elevation gain, the course winds through one of the country’s most iconic mountain regions, an area deeply rooted in mountain culture and outdoor sports.
The absence of the current overall series leaders, Elhousine Elazzaoui (NNormal) and Madalina Florea (Scott), creates a wealth of opportunities for athletes looking not only to claim victory in Myoko, but also to make a move in the GTWS standings ahead of the circuit’s final stretch.
In the men’s race, much of the attention will be focused on the Kenyan trio from Run2Gether On Trail: Philemon Kiriago, Michael Saoli and Patrick Kipngeno, three athletes who have consistently featured among the front-runners throughout the season. Meanwhile, the women’s race is guaranteed to produce a new GTWS winner. Ruth Gitonga (Run2Gether On Trail), currently third in the overall standings and one of the breakout stars of the year, will start as one of the leading contenders alongside Barbora Bukovjan (Salomon) and Marie Nivet (Nike ACG).
MYOKO TRAIL: JAPAN’S NEW MOUNTAIN CHALLENGE
The Golden Trail World Series return to Japan for the third consecutive year, this time with a brand-new venue. Myoko Trailreplaces Kobe Trail, which featured on the calendar in 2024 and 2025, bringing the competition to Niigata Prefecture in north-central Japan, just 45 minutes from Nagano, the renowned mountain city that hosted the 1998 Winter Olympic Games.
Nestled in the heart of one of Japan’s most iconic mountain regions, Myoko will provide a spectacular new backdrop for a course that is as spectacular as it is demanding, featuring two climbs and two descents linked together in a layout that delivers almost uninterrupted intensity from start to finish.
The Myoko Mountain Range is part of Japan’s “100 Famous Mountains”, a selection created in 1964 by writer and mountaineer Kyuya Fukada, who chose one hundred peaks based on their beauty, historical significance, elevation and uniqueness. The publication of the book that gave the list its name, combined with the rise of hiking and mountaineering in Japan from the 1980s onwards, transformed these mountains into pilgrimage destinations for generations of outdoor enthusiasts. More than six decades later, Myoko will host a world-class challenge, welcoming the world’s best trail runners as they attempt to conquer its slopes in pursuit of a victory that could prove decisive in the GTWS title race.
The race will start at Suginohara Ski Resort, where athletes will tackle a demanding first climb into the mountain range. After reaching the upper slopes near the summit, competitors will embark on a long and technical descent offering spectacular views of the surrounding landscape, including Lake Nojiri. This section will also host the downhill segment, a 1.4 km descent averaging -18.3%, where bonus points for the overall standings will be awarded to the five fastest athletes.
Back at the start area, runners will pass through the finish line and fan zone before beginning the next phase of the course. The short four-kilometre section linking the first descent to the second climb will feature the sprint segment, a one-kilometre stretch with an average gradient of 2.6%.
From there, the course climbs once again into the mountains for a second ascent. It is here that athletes will contest the uphill segment, a one-kilometre climb averaging 17.7%, rewarding the strongest climbers before the final descent to the finish.
With two climbs and two descents linked together with almost no opportunity for recovery, Myoko Trail embodies one of the defining characteristics of the Golden Trail World Series: intense, explosive racing from start to finish. Spectators will also be able to experience the action up close thanks to the two passages through the start-finish area, as well as the gondola system that provides access to the surroundings of the first summit and some of the most decisive sections of the course.
A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY IN THE TITLE RACE
The absence of the overall series leaders, Elhousine Elazzaoui (NNormal) and Madalina Florea (Scott), throws the battle for both race victories and the Golden Trail World Series lead wide open. With two consecutive races remaining before the Grand Finale, every point could prove decisive.
In the men’s race, much of the spotlight will fall on the Kenyan trio from Run2Gether On Trail: Philemon Kiriago, Michael Saoli and Patrick Kipngeno, three athletes who have shown they can contend for victory on any terrain.
Kiriago arrives at Myoko Trail in outstanding form after claiming his third victory at Sierre-Zinal (Switzerland). Another win in Japan would place him in a strong position to challenge for the overall lead. In fact, even without taking victory, the Kenyan could significantly reduce the gap to Elazzaoui, or even overtake him, depending on the number of points he is able to collect in the segments.
Michael Saoli, currently third in the overall standings, is also one to watch. The Kenyan has already secured three podium finishes this season, including second place at Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail and third-place finishes at Ledro Sky Trentino and Sierre-Zinal. That consistency has kept him firmly in contention for the series title.
Also in the mix is Patrick Kipngeno, who has a special connection with Japan. It was here that he claimed his first GTWS victory in 2024, before returning to win the opening race of the 2025 season, making Japan one of his most successful hunting grounds.
The list of contenders also includes Christian Allen (Nike ACG), Brayan Rodríguez and Joey Hadorn (Salomon), Ezekiel Rutto(Salomon), Isacco Costa (La Sportiva), Bogdan Damian (Kailas Fuga), a downhill segment specialist, and local favourite Ryonusuke Omi (Salomon), who will be eager to perform in front of the home crowd.
In the women’s race, the absence of Madalina Florea guarantees that Myoko Trail will crown a first-time GTWS winner. Among the leading contenders is Ruth Gitonga (Run2Gether On Trail), currently third in the overall standings and one of the breakthrough athletes of the season. The Kenyan has already demonstrated her potential with a runner-up finish at Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail and will now be aiming to secure her maiden victory in the series.
Also boasting strong credentials are Barbora Bukovjan (Salomon), one of the standout rookies of the year, and Marie Nivet (Nike ACG), who finished second at Québec Mega Trail and recently claimed victory at ETC by UTMB, results that place her among the most in-form athletes on the circuit.
The list of podium hopefuls also includes María Fuentes (Kailas Fuga), European Up and Down champion Hanna Grober(IRCZRH), Theres Leboeuf (Compressport/Iowa), Renee Cardinaals (All4Running/Esprit Montagne), Silvia Schwaiger (Salomon) and local athlete Ayaka Ueda (The North Face), all of whom will be chasing their first Golden Trail World Series victory.
In line with the 50% increase in prize money introduced this season, Myoko Trail will significantly raise its prize purse as part of the GTWS commitment to support the growth of trail running in Asia. The race will distribute a total of €40,800among the top ten finishers in both the men’s and women’s categories, with €6,000 awarded to each winner, further underlining the importance of a race that could prove pivotal in the battle for the series title.
A YEAR-ROUND PLAYGROUND FOR ATHLETES
Myoko is one of Japan’s premier ski destinations, but its sporting identity extends far beyond winter sports. The region has produced numerous Olympic athletes and developed a strong culture of athletic excellence. When the snow melts and summer arrives, the mountains that welcome thousands of skiers each winter are transformed into a vast outdoor training ground, making trail running a natural extension of the area’s sporting heritage.
Its landscapes, widely regarded as some of the most spectacular and diverse in Japan, have established Myoko as a leading destination for athletes across a wide range of disciplines. Every summer, the region hosts training camps and altitude preparations for marathon runners and ekiden teams, the iconic Japanese long-distance relay discipline that occupies a unique place in the country’s sporting culture.
One of the most highly valued training locations is the Sasagamine Plateau, situated at high altitude and renowned for its mild summer temperatures and exceptional natural surroundings. These conditions make it an ideal environment for elite-level physical preparation. Together, these qualities have turned Myoko into a true athlete’s destination, attracting both elite competitors and outdoor enthusiasts throughout all four seasons of the year.
WHERE AND WHEN TO WATCH MYOKO TRAIL
Myoko Trail will be broadcast live across Warner Bros. Discovery platforms, including HBO Max, Eurosport and TNT Sports, as well as through a wide network of international broadcasters.
The action gets underway on Sunday 20 September, with the women’s race scheduled to start at 13:00 JST (06:00 CEST) and the men’s race following at 13:20 JST (06:20 CEST). Live coverage on HBO Max will begin at 12:50 JST, ten minutes before the start of the race, while Eurosport will join the action live at the start of the women’s event.
In addition to the live broadcast, fans will be able to follow all the action through real-time updates on the official Golden Trail World Series channels and via the live timing service available on the series’ website.
Once the race is over, viewers will be able to relive the key moments through the official race highlights programme, which will be available on Eurosport and HBO Max on Wednesday 23 September at 18:00 CEST, before being released on the official GTWS YouTube channel 24 hours later.
THE MYOKO TRAIL EXPERIENCE CONTINUES ON KINOMAP
Kinomap, the leading interactive training platform for cycling, running and rowing, and an official partner of the Golden Trail World Series, is continuing its mission to bring the excitement of the circuit to runners around the globe.
Following Myoko Trail, a selection of the race’s trails will be available on the platform as high-quality geosynchronised videos, giving users the opportunity to train virtually and experience one of the newest venues on the international trail running calendar from anywhere in the world.
