Sierre-Zinal Crowns Florea and Kiriago in a Fast and Furious Golden Trail World Series Battle

Sierre-Zinal, the fifth stop of the Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) and a race widely regarded as the “Cathedral of Trail Running”, once again lived up to its reputation on Saturday. The 53rd edition of the iconic 31km race, featuring 2,200m of elevation gain beneath five Alpine peaks rising above 4,000m, crowned two of the sport’s biggest names.

In the women’s race, Madalina Florea (Scott) secured one of the most prestigious victories of her career, claiming her third Golden Trail World Series win of the season after previous triumphs at Québec Mega Trail (Canada) and the Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail (Austria). The Romanian secured victory after coming out on top in a fiercely contested race that remained wide open until the closing stages. Defending champion Caroline Kimutai (Salomon) finished second, while Morven Goodrum (Windsor, Slough, Eton and Hounslow) completed the podium in third.

In the men’s race, Philemon Kiriago (Run2Gether On Trail) successfully defended his title to claim his third Sierre-Zinal victory, following his wins in 2023 and 2025. The Kenyan also led another Run2Gether On Trail podium sweep, identical to the one achieved last year, with Patrick Kipngeno finishing second and Michael Saoli taking third.

FLOREA REIGNS AFTER AN EPIC BATTLE IN THE ALPS

Madalina Florea showcased the maturity gained from four seasons of racing in the Golden Trail World Series with a composed and tactically flawless performance. The Romanian remained calm in one of the strongest fields of the year, responding expertly to the constant changes of pace and repeated attacks from her rivals.

The demanding climb from Sierre to Ponchette, which packs nearly two-thirds of the race’s elevation gain into 1,355 metres of ascent over just 7.3 kilometres, made the first decisive selection. There, Morven Goodrum, the reigning European Vertical Champion, shone by claiming the uphill segment (1.2km at an average gradient of 20.9%) in 12:12. Alongside her, a select lead group emerged featuring compatriot Kirsty Dickson (Carnethy Hill Racing Club), Florea, Nienke Brinkman (Nike ACG) and Caroline Kimutai (Salomon).

Beyond Ponchette, the fast uphill and rolling sections produced a highly dynamic race, with the lead changing hands several times. Goodrum managed to open a small gap, but Brinkman and Florea quickly responded to bring the race back together at the front. The exceptional depth of the women’s field was reflected in the sprint segment (1.7km at -0.7%), where Ruth Gitonga (Run2Gether On Trail) posted the fastest time of the day (6:08) after working her way up from further back in the field.

True to her aggressive racing style, Goodrum continued to push the pace and launched a series of attacks that allowed her to reach the iconic Hotel Weisshorn in the lead. However, her advantage never exceeded 30 seconds, and Florea, confident in both the course and her own strengths, remained firmly in control without being drawn into the battle.

The race was ultimately decided on the section linking Nava, the highest point of the course at 2,424 metres, with Barneuza, where the steep descent towards Zinal begins. It was there that Florea made her decisive move, using the fast, rocky rolling terrain to open a gap that proved impossible to close. Behind her, the battle for the remaining podium positions remained intense, with constant reshuffling throughout the top 10.

Florea crossed the finish line in 2:55:44 to secure her third victory of the season. Meanwhile, Caroline Kimutai produced a remarkable comeback on the descent, posting the fastest time in the descent segment (1.1km at -24.2%) with 4:33. She cut a three-minute deficit to just 45 seconds by the finish to claim second place. Goodrum, who paid for her relentless attacks throughout the race, held on for third, finishing 1:28 behind the winner and earning a well-deserved podium after a courageous display. Notably, the first six women all finished under the three-hour mark.

An emotional Florea dedicated the victory to her family and team after crossing the finish line. “I’m so happy that I can’t explain what I’m feeling right now,” she said. The win further confirms the Romanian’s outstanding form, having already claimed the overall Golden Trail World Series title in 2025. “I can’t believe it. I need to wake up and check if this is real. There are so many emotions inside me and so much hard work behind this result,” she added through tears.

The victory strengthens Florea’s lead in the overall standings, where she now sits on 872 points, ahead of Kimutai’s 614.

KIRIAGO LEADS ANOTHER RUN2GETHER ON TRAIL SWEEP IN SIERRE-ZINAL

The extraordinary depth of the men’s field was evident from the very start, with more than 20 runners grouped together at the front during the opening kilometres. The first meaningful gaps began to appear on the uphill segment, located 2.3 kilometres from the start. Germany’s Julius Ott (HPC-Trimaster) claimed the segment, but the main group, driven by the strong pace set by Britain’s Jakob Adkin (New Balance), remained largely intact. By the time the leaders reached Chandolin, widely regarded as the unofficial halfway point of the race, the top ten were still separated by less than two minutes.

Adkin reached that point in the lead, but with only a seven-second advantage over Philemon Kiriago and Patrick Kipngeno. It was never likely to be enough against two athletes who have spent years shaping the outcome of the legendary “Race of the Five 4,000ers”. The Kenyan duo soon took control of the race. The clearest sign came in the sprint segment, where Kiriago recorded the fastest time of the day, clocking 4:55 and setting the stage for another head-to-head battle at the front.

Defending champion Kiriago and Kipngeno, widely regarded as one of the strongest climbers in trail running over recent years, finally broke the race apart. By the time they reached the iconic Hotel Weisshorn, they had already opened a gap of more than a minute and a half over teammate Richard Omaya Atuya and Adkin, whose ambitious early pace was beginning to take its toll.

The decisive move came on the way down to Zinal. There, Kiriago once again demonstrated why he is one of the most complete athletes on the circuit. Whether thanks to his descending skills or the freshness gained from resting the previous weekend while Kipngeno was battling for victory in Austria, the Kenyan found another gear as the race entered its decisive phase. After gaining 15 seconds on his compatriot in the descent segment, he extended his advantage further to cross the finish line in 2:26:24.

Kipngeno secured second place, finishing 32 seconds behind, while Michael Saoli completed another Run2Gether On Trail podium sweep in third, 3:12 adrift of the winner. In a testament to the astonishing quality of the men’s field, just eight minutes separated the top 13 finishers.

After successfully defending his title, Kiriago spoke of his affection for a race that has become particularly special to him: “I’m very happy to win again in Sierre-Zinal. This is my second home,” he said, referring not only to the race itself but also to the extensive training his team undertakes in the region. Far from being satisfied, the Kenyan was already looking ahead: “Next year, again.”

The victory also strengthens Kiriago’s position in the battle for the Golden Trail World Series overall title. Despite his DNF at Sierre-Zinal, Morocco’s Elhousine Elazzaoui (NNormal) remains at the top of the standings thanks to victories at Zegama-Aizkorri (Spain), Ledro Sky Trentino (Italy) and Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail (Austria). Elazzaoui leads the rankings with 824 points, while Kiriago moves up to 648 points.

In the team standings, the men’s one-two finish delivered by Philemon Kiriago and Patrick Kipngeno, combined with the performances of Ruth Gitonga and Miriam Chepkirui, who finished seventh and ninth respectively in the women’s race, secured the team victory for Run2Gether On Trail in Switzerland, just a short distance from their training base in Kals am Großglockner, Austria.

ASIA TO DECIDE THE 2026 GOLDEN TRAIL WORLD SERIES TITLES

The Golden Trail World Series heads into its decisive stage with a demanding three-race Asian block that will take athletes to Japan, China and South Korea. This season finale combines two brand-new destinations for the circuit, Myoko Trail and Muju Trail, with the return of one of its most iconic events: the Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race.

The first stop will take place on 20 September at Myoko Trail (Japan). Featuring 23.6 kilometres and 1,935 metres of elevation gain, the race marks the debut of a new venue in the Golden Trail World Series calendar. While Japan returns to the schedule, it does so this time with a brand-new course around Suginohara Ski Resort, one of the country’s most renowned mountain destinations.

Just one week later, the circuit will return to China for the only race on the calendar held along one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Taking place on 27 September, the Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race will cover 22.4 kilometres and 1,653 metres of elevation gain, representing the final major opportunity for athletes to score valuable points before the Grand Finale.

The season’s ultimate showdown will then move to South Korea, which will make its debut in the Golden Trail World Series as host of the 2026 Grand Finale. Located at the heart of South Korea’s bid for the 2036 Summer Olympic Games, Muju Trail will provide a spectacular and demanding conclusion to the season. Its course features mountain ridgelines, steep climbs, dense conifer forests and technical rocky terrain, while also passing centuries-old Buddhist temples and some of the country’s most iconic natural landscapes.

With 25.6 kilometres and 2,294 metres of elevation gain, the event will take place on 24 October for the women’s race and 25 October for the men’s race. Unlike previous seasons, the Grand Finale will consist of a single decisive race, offering athletes the opportunity to earn up to 300 points, ensuring that the battle for the overall titles remains wide open until the final weekend of the season.