• The Basque Marathon Once Again Captivates the Trail Running World with an Unforgettable Race, Crowning Alonso and Elazzaoui
• Sara Alonso Reclaims the GTWS Lead After Her Victory in the Third Race of the Circuit
• Broken Arrow Takes the GTWS to the USA for the Fifth Race

Zegama is Zegama. Even without mud, even when the sun dries the trails and the temperature rises above average. The Basque classic marked the continuation of the European leg of the 2025 Golden Trail World Series with a hot, dry day—unusual conditions for these mountains.

On the slopes of Aizkorri, thousands of voices once again lifted the runners, pushing them forward in the unique way only this race can. In an edition defined by a relentless pace and calculated attacks, two names shone brightly: Elhousine Elazzaoui (Morocco – Normal) and Sara Alonso (Spain – Asics).

Two different ways of approaching the race, two contrasting strategies, but one clear outcome: they were the strongest in this year’s Zegama-Aizkorri.

SARA ALONSO LEADS FROM START TO FINISH AT HOME AND RECLAIMS THE OVERALL LEAD

From the very first strides, Sara Alonso made it clear that her presence in Zegama wasn’t a gamble—it was a statement. The runner from San Sebastián took the lead within the first few kilometers, set a solid pace early on, and never gave up the front position. On a day when the heat pushed harder than usual and the dry terrain encouraged speed, Sara read the race with intelligence: aggressive when needed, conservative when the course demanded it.

Neither the pressure from Switzerland’s Judith Wyder, who chased her for much of the race, nor the late charge from a powerful Malen Osa in the final stretch, could shake a focused, steady, and courageous Alonso. By the time she reached Ultzama (8.5 km), she was already in clear command, with Wyder less than a minute behind and Patricia Pinedaand Oihana Kortazar forming the chasing group. The heat was intense, but she moved with the calm of someone who knows they are in the right place at the right time.

At Aketegi, Sara held a steady lead of nearly three minutes.Behind her, Leboeuf, Rosa Lara, and Osa tried to regroup, while Wyder relied on her experience to hang on. But as often happens in Zegama, the race was defined not just by the legs, but by the mind. Alonso left no room for doubt: with a firm stride, she held her pace all the way to the finish and claimed victory with a time of 4:27:25. A flawless performance in one of the fastest and cleanest editions in recent years.

Judith Wyder (Switzerland – Hoka) finished second in 4:29:47, while Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon) completed the podium in 4:31:18, confirming her meteoric rise. Rosa María Lara Feliu (Spain – Compressport) delivered a strong race to finish fourth, and Switzerland’s Theres Leboeuf (Compressport) rounded out the coveted top five in a day full of powerful emotions.

At the finish line, Sara shared: “Winning in Zegama for a Basque is incredible, a dream to earn the txapela. It’s been two tough years, I trained hard this winter. I believed in myself and went for it from kilometer one. The last few kilometers were extremely tough.”

Wyder commented: “I’m happy. Today, Sara was the best. I ran my race and tried to fight. I was really struggling with back pain I’ve had for the past three weeks, but I’m very satisfied with how I managed to finish.”

Malen Osa added: “I’m really happy. I knew I could run a good race if I had a good day, but in the end, it’s a marathon and anything can happen. It’s a dream to be on the podium with them. I had several issues with cramps during the race,but I managed to push through.”

ELAZZAOUI FINALLY CLAIMS VICTORY IN ZEGAMA

The men’s race was defined by an explosive start from Andreu Blanes (Spain – Hoka), who took the lead in the opening kilometers and held it with authority well into the second half of the course. Behind him, Thomas Cardin and Roberto Delorenzi tried to keep up, but it was at the Andratx checkpoint where everything changed: Elhousine Elazzaoui picked up the pace on the climb, caught Blanes, and took control just before launching into the Moano descent, a section he knows well and where he once again showcased his technical mastery. From that moment on, there was no turning back. The Moroccan charged downhill fearlessly, sealed the race, and crossed the finish line in 3:43:28, finally conquering Zegama after finishing second two years in a row.

Blanes, after losing the lead, rallied in the final stretch to reclaim second place, closing out an outstanding performance.

With a time of 3:43:28, Elhousine Elazzaoui (Morocco – NNormal) took the win ahead of Andreu Blanes (Spain – Hoka), second in 3:50:53, and Daniel Pattis (Italy – Brooks), who finished third in 3:51:40. The top five was completed by Luca Del Pero and Lorenzo Beltrami, both from Italy and racing for the Scarpa team, capping off a brilliant day for Italian trail running.

At the finish line, Elhousine said: “I’m very happy—this was my dream. I felt like I was in the right shape. Winning Zegama is historic for me.”

Andreu Blanes shared: “This is a success and I’m happy. It was an amazing race—I had so much fun and suffered a lot. I can only be grateful and enjoy all these emotions.”

Italy’s Pattis added: “I was thinking that everyone here was at such a high level, and that maybe I could make the top five on a good day. But finishing on the podium? I never imagined it.”

TOP 10 MEN & WOMEN

Women

1. Sara Alonso (Spain – Asics) — 4h27’25”
2. Judith Wyder (Switzerland – Hoka) — 4h29’47”
3. Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon) — 4h31’18”
4. Rosa María Lara Feliu (Soain – Compressport) — 4h32’00”
5. Theres Leboeuf (​​Switzerland– Compressport) — 4h33’29”
6. Ikram Rharsalla (Spain – Joma) — 4h37’39”
7.  Ida Amelie Robsahm (Norway – Hoka) — 4h38’41”
8. Oihana Kortazar (Spain – Salomon) — 4h42’59”
9. Patricia Pineda (Spain – La Sportiva) — 4h44’22”
10. Marta Martínez Abellán (Spain – La Sportiva) — 4h44’29”

Men

1. Elhousine Elazzaoui (Marocco – NNormal) — 3h43’28”
2. Andreu Blanes (Spain – Hoka) — 3h50’53”
3. Daniel Pattis (Italy – Brooks) — 3h51’40”
4. Luca Del Pero (Italy – Scarpa) — 3h54’19”
5. Lorenzo Beltrami (Italy – Scarpa) — 3h54’58”
6. Thomas Cardin (France– Kiprun) — 3h55’34”
7. Antonio Martínez (Spain – Asics) — 3h56’42”
8. Nicolás Molina (Spain – La Sprotiva) — 3h58’51”
9. Stian Angermund (Norway) — 3h59’46”
10. Marcin Kubica (Poland – Salomon) — 3h59’50”

THE GTWS CROSSES THE ATLANTIC HEADING FOR THE HEIGHTS OF CALIFORNIA

After the thrill of Zegama and its infamous mud, the 2025 Golden Trail World Series now heads to the United States for its fifth stop: the Broken Arrow Skyrace, an iconic event set to take place on June 22 in the stunning landscapes of Palisades Tahoe, California.

There, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, runners will face 23 kilometers with 1,433 meters of elevation gain—some of the steepest and most dramatic of the circuit. This European-style race features technical climbs, high altitude, exposed ridgelines, and even sections of snow and stairs.

All of it unfolds in a wild setting, above the tree line, with the sky overhead and Lake Tahoe as the backdrop. The show is guaranteed—and the standings are ready to be shaken up once again.

GTWS 2025 CALENDAR

The nine races that make up the official Golden Trail World Series 2025 calendar:

• April 19 – Kobe Trail – 21.3 km / 2,109 m D+ – Kobe, Japan
• April 26 – Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race – 24.2 km / 1,800 m D+ – Chengde, Hebei, China
• May 17 – Il Golfo dell’Isola Trail – 26 km / 1,400 m D+ – Noli, Italy
• May 25 – Zegama-Aizkorri – 42 km / 2,736 m D+ – Zegama, Spain
• June 22 – Broken Arrow Skyrace – 21.7 km / 1,433 m D+ – Olympic Valley, USA
• June 29 – Tepec Trail – 32 km / 1,800 m D+ – Huasca de Ocampo, Mexico
• August 2 – Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail – 23.5 km / 1,700 m D+ – Pitztal, Austria
• August 9 – Sierre-Zinal – 31 km / 2,200 m D+ – Sierre, Switzerland
• October – Grand Final – Valle di Ledro, Garda Trentino