Second in the 2021 GTWS, Francesco Puppi had a difficult start to the season after suffering several elbow injuries. But he proved at Pikes Peak: he is back!
Last year, he won the Golden Trail Series final on El Hierro. There was little between him and victory in the season’s final overall ranking. In the end, Francesco Puppi (Team Nike trail, Italy) finished second in the 2021 GTWS. A result which obviously made him a big favourite for this 2022 season. This didn’t consider the two injuries he sustained on his elbow that kept him off the trails for a large portion this year. But the hard work the Italian put paid off as he just snatched a stunning 4th place at the Pikes Peak Ascent.
From track to trails
Francesco Puppi maybe one of the oldest athletes in the Golden Trail World Series, 30 years old, but he started running when he was very young. "I was six," he explains, "my parents didn’t really do running as such, but I joined the same athletics club as my cousin. I was doing track and cross-country, but my coach used to take me into the mountains with him. Despite all that I didn’t compete straight away in trail running races and waited till I was 20 to put on a race bib." Francesco quickly realised he was strong in the climbs and his race results made him stand out so much he was invited to join the Italian National Team in 2014. In 2016, he took a fantastic 3rd place finish at Sierre-Zinal when he was only 24 years old. "The time was also fast," he confides. "2h36! I think that is still one of my best results." He also achieved superb race results on long distance mountain races, especially during the World Championships in Switzerland in 2015, and in Italy in 2017.
"The Golden makes the races more appealing."
Francesco Puppi discovered the Golden Trail World Series when running Sierre-Zinal in 2018, then in 2019 by participating in several stages. In 2020, he took part in the Golden Trail Championship on the Azores, where he finished 7th, then he clocked a 2nd place at the 2021 Golden Trail World Series. "I love the concept of the Golden Trail World Series because it groups together the most beautiful races in the world and the world’s best athletes," he explains. "I would’ve done these races anyway I think, at least once in my lifetime, like Pikes Peak or Sierre-Zinal for example, because these races have a long history and attract top level athletes. The fact that they are part of the Golden makes them even more appealing. They are put into the spotlight, and they attract even more top-level athletes. The Golden also brings more money and everything that professional athletes need to grow. So, for me it makes sense to participate in this Series."
Two injuries, and back again
At the end of the 2021 season, Francesco Puppi injured his elbow in a bike fall. Due to Covid he couldn’t have immediate surgery and had to wait several weeks before being operated on. "These were obviously not optimal conditions to recover quickly from this injury and I had a hard time dealing with it both physically and mentally," he explains. Nevertheless, he managed to train for Zegama in May but couldn’t do better than 65th place. "I hadn’t recovered from my injury," he confides, "not physically or mentally." At the end of this race, he fell on his elbow again and needed another operation. "Fortunately, this time it was quicker, and I recovered much faster. I could also do some good cross training, which enabled me to be back on form for Sierre-Zinal." He finished 14th at this Swiss race. "I’m very critical about my results, I always tell myself I could’ve done better. But with this year’s level, and the time I managed, I think it was a pretty good result." But Francesco’s best result this season so far was at the Pikes Peak Ascent where he finished 4th. "It was a stacked field, but I also know I’m strong in the uphill. Since I fell on my elbow, I’m more wary in the downhill. But I’m really chuffed about my race!" This result proves one thing for sure: Francesco Puppi is back!
22ND SEPTEMBER 2023, Start 7:30 AM (UTC-7), 26KM, 1,200M V+ MAMMOTH LAKES, USA
16TH SEPTEMBER 2023, Start 7:00 AM, 21KM, 2,382M V+ MANITOU SPRINGS, USA
16TH SEPTEMBER 2023, Start 7:00 AM (UTC-6), 21KM, 2,382M V+ MANITOU SPRINGS, USA
12TH AUGUST 2023, Start 10:55 AM, 31KM, 2,200M V+ SIERRE, SWITZERLAND
La cita de las Golden Trail con más recorrido internacional cumple 50 años con una filosofía que aúna a la élite con el atleta aficionado
L'evento elvetico rappresenta il non plus ultra della sintesi di trailrunning e corsa in montagna
12TH AUGUST 2023, START 10:55 AM, 31KM, 2,200M V+ SIERRE, SWITZERLAND
Malen Osa dio un golpe sobre la mesa en su debut como élite en una carrera de las Golden Trail World Series siendo 4ª de la general y Manu Merillas protagonizó una de sus habituales remontadas para acabar siendo 6º y seguir liderando la general de las Golden Trail World Series.
The DoloMyths Run will celebrate its 25th anniversary tomorrow (Saturday 25 July) as the Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) reaches the half-way mark following the season opener at Zegama in Spain in May and the Mont Blanc Marathon three weeks ago.
15TH JULY 2023, Start 8:00 AM, 22KM, 1,750M V+ CANAZEI, ITALY
C’est ce samedi à 8h à Canazei que sera donné le départ de la 23ème édition de La Dolomyths Run Skyrace. Manche des Golden Trail Series, des coureurs du monde entier viennent se confronter sur ce parcours réputé pour sa beauté mais aussi sa technicité.
El circuito de carreras de montaña que engloba a siete pruebas por todo el mundo aspira a globalizar y profesionalizar un deporte emergente
15TH JULY 2023, Start 8:00 AM, 22 KM, 1,750M V+ CANAZEI, ITALY
4th in the GTWS 2022, Élise Poncet now has her sights on the podium. She will enter the circuit at the DoloMyths Run, a race that suits her skills perfectly.
25TH JUNE 2023, Start 7:00 AM, 42KM, 2,540M V+ CHAMONIX, FRANCE
Surprise winner at Zegama and currently leading the GTWS, Daniela Oemus tells us about her aspirations for this year’s Series.
25th JUNE 2023, Start 7:00 AM, 42KM, 2,540M V+ CHAMONIX, FRANCE
Elhousine Elazzaoui regularly finishes second and has not yet won a Golden Trail World Series race. Before the Marathon du Mont-Blanc, he reveals his victory dreams.
Jonathan Albon made a strong impression in the GTWS 2022 season by winning Marathon du Mont-Blanc and the Stranda Fjord Trail Race one after the other. We met him the day before Zegama, the first race of the 2023 season, where he finished 3rd. He talked about his ambitions for 2023.
Il Golfo Dell’Isola Trail Race, the Golden Trail World Series Grand Final in Italy is open to all runners. Places are limited to 800 race bibs.
Manuel Merillas and Daniela Oemus take the win for the first time at Zegama-Aizkorri and take the lead in the GTWS 2023.
After a catastrophic 2022, Bart Przedwojewski is back on the Golden Trail World Series. Better prepared and raring to go on the eve of Zegama, he revealed his goals for the 2023 season.
Zegama-Aizkorri, the first stage of the Golden Trail World Series, is a legend in the trail-running world. However, you may not know everything about this mythical race!
14TH MAY 2023, Start 9:00 AM, 42 KM, 2,736M V+ ZEGAMA, SPAIN
A few days before the start of the season at Zegama, we went to meet Rémi Bonnet, winner of the 2022 Golden Trail World Series. He shared his goals for 2023 and one thing is certain: the odds are on the title!
The Golden Trail World Series now has its list of registered elite runners and all we can say is that the level has never been so high. The 2023 season promises to be one hell of a ride!
In the 2023 season, the world’s biggest trail running show will be broadcast in 53 countries and 20 languages on Eurosport. One more step in the development of the Series and in trail running.
First in the men’s and second in the women’s at the GTNS 2022 Grand Final, Manuel Innerhofer and Noémie Vachon now join the notorious GTWS Elite circuit. Before starting the 2023 season, they gave us an insight into the opportunities that the Golden Trail National Series has to offer.
The Golden Trail Series national editions, the GTNS, enables the best local athletes to compete against each other at a high-level in the hope of making their way into the elite standings.
La première étape de la GTNS France 2023 a eu lieu sur les pentes du Mont-Ventoux.
The Golden Trail Series TV episodes will be released on Golden Trail TV from 11th January 2023.
30th October 2022, Start 9:00 AM, 30.5 KM, 1,555M V+ FUNCHAL, MADEIRA, PORTUGAL Rémi Bonnet and Allie McLaughlin finish the year in style by winning the last stage in the GTWS 2022 Grand Final!
29th October 2022, Start 9:00 AM, 26.2 KM, 1,940M V+ CURRAL DAS FREIRAS, MADEIRA, PORTUGAL By winning the fourth stage of the Grand Final in Madeira, Rémi Bonnet and Nienke Brinkman are the definitive winners of the Golden Trail World Series 2022!
28th October 2022, Start 5:00 PM, 6.6KM, 350M V+ CANIÇAL, MADEIRA, PORTUGAL In a short but intense time trial Elhousine Elazzaoui and Nienke Brinkman demonstrated their speed.
27th October 2022, Start 9:00 AM, 26.6KM, 1,425M V+ SEIXAL, MADEIRA, PORTUGAL Rémi Bonnet and Nienke Brinkman strengthen their leads by winning the second stage of the Madeira Ocean&Trails® Stage Race.
26th October 2022, Start 9:00 AM, 24.5KM, 1,540M V+ SEIXAL, MADEIRA, PORTUGAL Rémi Bonnet and Allie McLaughlin win the first of the five stages of the Madeira Ocean&Trails® Stage Race, the Golden Trail Series Grand Final.
Newlyweds and currently both ranked in the Golden Trail World Series top 10, Tabor and Eli Hemming are treating themselves to a dream honeymoon in Madeira at the Golden Trail World Series!
Currently second in the GTWS overall ranking, Sophia Laukli is THE women’s revelation this trail-running season. She hesitated a long time about participating in the final, which is very close to her ski season, but she has at last decided she will come to Madeira!
From 26th to 30th October 2022, 5 stages, 109KM, 7,382M V+ Madeira, PORTUGAL / After 6 exhilarating legs in Europe and the USA, the world’s top trail runners will be in Madeira from 26th to 30th October to fight it out on the Madeira Ocean&Trails® Stage Race, in the Golden Trail Series Grand Final.
After Mark Kangogo’s official disqualification for testing positive for two substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), we wanted to pass the floor to Pierre Sallet from the Athletes For Transparency Association (AFT) – at the origin of the Health Programme, – to explain the Programme’s precise role, which is now used by the world’s biggest trail running races (Golden Trail Series, UTMB® Mont-Blanc, etc.) and more broadly in sport in general.
Mark Kangogo having accepted his suspension after controlling positive for two substances banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency, the official winner of 2023 Sierre-Zinal is now Andreu Blanes!
On Monday 10th October 2022, the GTS was informed by the Sierre-Zinal Executive Committee that disciplinary proceedings have been brought against the men’s winner of the 2022 edition.
25th September 2022, Start 7:30AM, 26KM, 1,266M V+ FLAGSTAFF, USA Rémi Bonnet and Nienke Brinkman both take the win at the last race of the season and are now leading the Golden Trail World Series before the Grand Final on Madeira Island.
Second in the 2021 GTWS, Francesco Puppi had a difficult start to the season after suffering several elbow injuries. But he proved at Pikes Peak: he is back!
After 8th place at Sierre-Zinal, Danial Osanz just finished an eye-popping 2nd place at the Pikes Peak Ascent, the 5th stage of the GTWS.
17th September 2022, Start 7:00 AM, 21KM, 2,382M V+ MANITOU SPRINGS, USA Rémi Bonnet and Nienke Brinkman win the 5th stage of the Golden Trail World Series
After finishing 3rd at the European Championships – Marathon, Nienke Brinkman is now targeting the Golden Trail World Series podium!
On the sidelines of the 5th stage of the Golden Trail World Series, Rémi Bonnet just beat the record on the legendary Incline at Manitou Springs!
13th August 2022, Start 11:00AM, 31KM, 2,200M V+ SIERRE, SWITZERLAND Esther Chesang took victory at the 4th stage of the GTWS. To finance her trip she sold solidarity bracelets to raise a total of 1,400 euros.
13th August 2022, Start 11:00AM, 31KM, 2,200M V+ SIERRE, SWITZERLAND 5th at Sierre-Zinal this weekend, Kilian Jornet couldn’t find his groove due to cramping!
De pasarse cinco meses afectado por la tercera vacuna contra la Covid a segundo en Sierre Zinal.
13th August 2022, Start 11:00AM, 31KM, 2,200M V+ SIERRE, SWITZERLAND The Kenyans Esther Chesang and Mark Kangogo won the 4th stage of the GTWS, a first time for African runners!
Just before the Marathon du Mont-Blanc and after Zegama, Greg Vollet, Director of the Golden Trail World Series, was interviewed by the website lookcharms.com. Greg talks openly about the origins of the GTWS project and of what he's trying to do to grow the trail running sport on a worldwide scale and showcase the athletes.
Les deux coureurs français ont déjà brillé à Sierre-Zinal et ont de grandes ambitions pour cette quatrième étape de la Golden Trail Wold Series.
España tiene hasta cuatro corredores en el top-10 de la GTWS y todos ellos estarán en Sierre Zinal
Les deux coureurs suisses Rémi Bonnet et Maude Mathys font partie des favoris sur l’une des courses les plus mythiques du monde.
13TH AUGUST 2022, Start 11:00 AM, 31 KM, 2,200M V+ SIERRE, SWITZERLAND For the 4th stage of the Golden Trail World Series takes place at Sierre-Zinal and welcomes an unprecedented stacked field!
The surprise winner of the Golden Trail World Series 3rd stage, Sophia Laukli, proved her place in international trail running!
6TH AUGUST 2022, 11am start, 25 km, 1,700 m elevation gain STRANDA, NORWAY The Golden Trail World Series went to a Nordic country for the first time in its history! This weekend, the Stranda Fjord Trail Race was the 3rd leg of the world trail cup. A physically and technically demanding race that attracted the world’s best athletes to Scandinavia for the event.
En terminant sur le podium de la Stranda Fjord Trail Race, 3e manche de la Golden Trail World Series, Emelie Forsberg a prouvé qu’elle était de retour.
6TH August 2022, Start 11:00 AM, 25KM, 1,700M V+ STRANDA, NORWAY Jonathan Albon and Sophia Laukli win the Golden Trail World Series’ most technical race!
Famous for his technical skills, Anders Kjaerevik is running tomorrow at the Stranda Fjord Trail Race, on home ground. He might be confident about being able to bag a top 10 place, but he’s more interested in highlighting the importance of having a Golden Trail World Series stage to be able to promote trail running in Norway.
After a difficult start to the season, Bart Przedwojewski enters the Golden Trail World Series 2022 at the Stranda Fjord Trail Race, and we can certainly say that the winner of the Golden Trial Championship in 2020 has big ambitions.
Jonathan Albon and Sara Alonso take today’s win, Davide Magnini and Sara Alonso lead the overall ranking!
Le brouillard tarde à se dissiper au-dessus du lac de Guerlédan. Un son amplifié d’une sono lointaine fend la brume qui recouvre le parc de l’Abbaye de Bon Repos. Près de 1 000 vaillants traileurs ont accepté le défi breton du Trail de Guerlédan, deuxième manche de la Golden Trail National Series ; un défi repoussé pour certains depuis deux ans pour raisons sanitaires. Un œil sur la ligne de départ révèle de grands absents : les têtes d’affiche de la première étape – l’Ergysport Trail du Ventoux – n’ont pas fait le déplacement jusqu’en Bretagne, à l’exception de Enzo Ratti (Esprit Volcans - 10e au Ventoux) et Anthony Boucard (Team Moonvalley - 18e). Une startlist qui annonçait donc de beaux combats en course et de belles opportunités à saisir.
For the 2022 season, we will release two episodes for each of the 6 stages and the final. In the pre race podcast, we'll discuss race details, athlete's insight, and what to expect during the live video coverage on race day. In the post race podcast, we'll analyse the race highlights, and dive back into the race experience together with the male and female winners.
After four amazing seasons, the Golden Trail World Series returns in 2022 with new ambitions. They include: supporting athletes in their quest to become professionals and above all making trail running a must-see, televisual event.
After an epic week in the Azores, Janelle Lincks and Darren Thomas win the GTNS 2021 Grand Final and three Golden Tickets to be able to compete at the highest international level on 3 of the Golden Trail Championship 2022 rac
Jan Margarit and Nienke Brikman explode the Skyrhune records at the last stage of the Golden Trail World Series.
Maude Mathys and Francesco Puppi are victorious at the Grand Final in El Hierro, Maude Mathys and Stian Angermund win the overall ranking.