The 2025 Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) kicked off this Saturday in Kobe, Japan, with a fiery opener marked by intense heat, high humidity, and a technical course that took no prisoners. Spanish athlete Sara Alonso (Asics) and Patrick Kipngeno (Kenya – Run2gether On Trail)came out on top after a thrilling battle on the rugged trails around Mount Maya.
From the surroundings of the Mayasan Kikuseidai lookout point, the heart of the race, runners tackled a course packed with endless stairs, stone-paved trails, and steep descents through the forests of Mount Maya. With over 300 athletes on the start line and a strong representation from the international elite, the opening round of the circuit delivered a high-level show in a setting rich in Japanese symbolism and tradition.
HEAT, STAIRS, AND PURE INTENSITY: ALONSO AND KIPNGENO DOMINATE IN KOBE
The women’s race got underway at 1:05 p.m. (local time) with a blazing downhill start that set the tone early. Joyce Muthoni Njeru (Kenya – Nnormal) led the race, chased by Madalina Florea (Romania – Scott), Sara Alonso (Spain – Asics), Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon), and Japan’s own Takako Takamura. By the first aid station, Alonso had moved to the front, and never looked back.
As the humidity took its toll and the race progressed through its second and third loops, Alonso launched a decisive attack. Florea held firm in second, Osa clawed back ground, and Takamura remained steady. Defending champion Njeru struggled after a mid-race mishap and slipped out of the top five. Alonso clinched a hard-fought win in 2:53:57, ahead of Florea (2:59:46) and Osa (3:02:10). Takamura came in fourth (3:02:55), followed by the UK’s Sara Willhoit (Scarpa)in fifth with 3:17:15.
Twenty minutes later, the men’s race set off with a tight lead pack. Joey Hadorn (Switzerland – Salomon) took charge early, followed closely by Sylvain Cachard (France – Hoka), Philemon Kiriago and Patrick Kipngeno (both from Kenya – Run2gether On Trail), and Daniel Pattis (Italy – Brooks). By loop two, Kipngeno had surged to the front with a powerful uphill move, while Hadorn and Kiriago kept the pressure on.
As the heat intensified and the field stretched out, Bogdan Damian (Romania – Datacor) made a late push, Cachard dropped out due to the scorching conditions, and young local Ryunosuke Omi (Japan – Salomon) charged into contention. Kipngeno defended his Kobe title in style, clocking 2:29:46. Kiriago followed in 2:31:53, with Damian just three seconds behind in 2:31:56. Hadorn (2:33:45) and Omi (2:35:49) rounded out a stacked top five.
Sara Alonso at the finish: “I trained really hard this winter and I believed I could win this one. I think Joyce took a wrong turn during the race, which I feel bad about. But once I realized I was leading, I just had to stay focused. I’m really, really happy to start the season with a win.”
Patrick Kipngeno: “First of all, I thank God for allowing me to win this race again. I want to congratulate my fellow competitors and friends — they pushed me all the way to the end. I’m proud of my performance out there.”
TOP 10 – WOMEN AND MEN [FULL RANKINGS]
Top 10 – Women
- Sara Alonso (Spain – Asics) – 2:53:57
- Madalina Florea (Romania – Scott) – 2:59:46
- Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon) – 3:02:10
- Takako Takamura (Japan) – 3:02:55
- Sara Willhoit (United Kingdom – Scarpa) – 3:17:15
- Joyce Muthoni Njeru (Kenya – Nnormal) – 3:21:19
- Honoka Akiyama (Japan – Merrell) – 3:21:55
- Yoshimi Tanaka (Japan) – 3:24:28
- Betty Bergstrand (Sweden – Salomon) – 3:26:19
- Courtney Coppinger (USA – Brooks) – 3:27:57
Top 10 – Men
- Patrick Kipngeno (Kenya – Run2gether On Trail) – 2:29:46
- Philemon Kiriago (Kenya – Run2gether On Trail) – 2:31:53
- Bogdan Damian (Romania – Datacor) – 2:31:56
- Joey Hadorn (Switzerland – Salomon) – 2:33:45
- Ryunosuke Omi (Japan – Salomon) – 2:35:49
- Daniel Pattis (Italy – Brooks) – 2:37:21
- Theo Bourgeois (France – Brooks) – 2:39:38
- Koken Ogasawara (Japan) – 2:39:48
- Ruy Ueda (Japan – Ueda Team) – 2:46:45
- Juho Ylinen (Finland – Hoka) – 2:49:11
THE GREAT WALL AWAITS: NEXT STOP, JINSHANLING
With Kobe now in the books, the Golden Trail World Series 2025 heads to its second showdown. On April 26, the world’s best trail runners will face off on an awe-inspiring course along the Great Wall of China. Starting and finishing in Jinshanling, the 24.2 km route with 1,500 meters of vertical gain will test athletes on ancient stone, exposed stair sections, and breathtaking ridgelines. Expect another epic battle — broadcast live around the globe — where the first serious leaders of the season will likely emerge.
