10TH AUGUST 2024, Start 11:00 AM (CET), 31KM, 2,200M V+ SIERRE, SWITZERLAND To kick-off the second half the season, the Golden Trail World Series heads to Sierre-Zinal with an exceptionally high-level field.

The Sierre-Zinal start list is usually impressive, for this 2024 edition, both the men's and women’s line-ups are nothing short of exceptional. One dual is in particular eagerly awaited, which is between Rémi Bonnet and Kilian Jornet; who will be triumphant? Will Patrick Kipngeno or Philemon Kiriago be able to put a spanner in the works? On the women's side, there are several who could leap to victory! Will a Marathon du Mont-Blanc revenge take place between Judith Wyder and Mădălina Florea? Will Joyce Njeru be able to grab a second victory this season? Can Sophia Laukli do a magic double? Find out on10^th August.

The times to beat:

Men’s record: 02:25:35 Kilian Jornet in 2019 

Women’s record: 02:49:20 Maude Mathys in 2019

Check out all the race specs HERE

Check out Sierre-Zinal’s favourites in the GTWS 2024 5^th stage:

The women's line-up

Injured at the start of the season, Sophia Laukli (USA – Salomon) kicked off her season at the Marathon du Mont-Blanc with a 4^th place finish. Will she be back on form now and capable of trying for victory having already won in Zinal in 2023? At the start of the season, Judith Wyder (CHE – Hoka/Red Bull) is the one who is on top form; as she proved by winning the Marathon du Mont-Blanc in June, and now she will be keen to be up front on her home race! Joyce Njeru (KEN – Atletica Saluzzo), who finished 2^nd in 2023 and won her first GTWS stage in China this season, will no doubt put her speed to good use. Philaries Kisang (KEN – Run2gether) finished 3^rd last year and will also be aiming for the top spot. All these women will have to keep their eyes on Miao Yao (CHN – Salomon), Mădălina Florea (ROM – Salomon),  Theres Leboeuf (CHE – Compressport), Scout Adkin (GBR – Hoka), Anna Gibson (USA – Brooks) and Caitlin Fielder (NZL – Salomon).

The men's line-up

Philemon Kiriago (KEN – Run2gether) achieved a remarkable feat in 2023 by winning the race, and he will be keen to repeat that achievement again this year. But he will have his work cut out up against Kilian Jornet (ESP – Nnormal), who seems to be in peak form and holds the race record as well as winning Zegama-Aizkorri this season. Patrick Kipngeno (KEN – Run2gether) is also in excellent shape this season. The Kenyan has been unbeaten on the GTWS since the start of the year and is aiming to remain so at Sierre-Zinal. Rémi Bonnet (CHE – Salomon/Red Bull) has never managed to shine at Sierre-Zinal. Will he be able to harness his full potential this year to claim the victory that has evaded him until now? We'll also be keeping an eye on Sylvain Cachard (FRA – Hoka), Roberto Delorenzi(CHE – Brooks), Rob Simpson (GBR – Adidas Terrex), Daniel Pattis (ITA – Brooks), Cesare Maestri (ITA – Nike Trail) and Christian Allen (USA – Nike Trail).

Sierre-Zinal stands up against doping

We all remember Mark Kangogo and Esther Chesang's disqualifications in 2022 following doping proceedings. In the women's race, victory eventually went to Maude Mathys, with the race management having to check her rights with the relevant authorities. Since then, Sierre-Zinal has significantly strengthened its anti-doping policy. "As organisers, we are committed to maintaining a clean, fair and professional race," explains Valentin Genoud, Sierre-Zinal's Race Director. "In this context, we have tightened our policy to combat doping, including stricter participant regulations, systematic doping controls (in collaboration with the World Anti-Doping Agency and the World Athletics association), legally binding contracts for athletes, their coaches and managers, as well as exclusions from participation for athletes who test positive or have concealed a provisional suspension. The aim is to guarantee a fair race, in line with the values of fair play." 

In addition to the measures mentioned, Sierre-Zinal's management is taking important collaborative steps with the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) and World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) with the aim of advancing the anti-doping system in mountain running and trail running, which is becoming more professional.

Read all about Sierre-Zinal's commitments here: https://www.sierre-zinal.com/en/dopage-consequences-49-51-357.html

Join us on 10^th August from 10:45 am (CET) to follow the race live!