On the west coast of the United States, near the border between California and Nevada, lies Olympic Valley, also known as Palisades Tahoe, the most rugged and extreme ski resort in North America. This is the setting for the upcoming Broken Arrow Skyrace, the fifth race of the 2025 Golden Trail World Series (GTWS), which will unfold this Sunday on a 21.7-kilometre course with over 1,400 metres of elevation gain.

The site of the 1960 Winter Olympics will serve as both the start and finish of the race. Along the way, runners will cross some of California’s most iconic trail running landmarks — including the rugged terrain of KT-22, famed for its extreme skiing; the Red Dog Ridge; breathtaking views over the Granite Chief Wilderness; and the legendary “Stairway to Heaven”, immortalised on the cover of UltraRunning Magazine.

Olympic Valley sits at nearly 2,000 metres above sea level, which already presents a challenge for many athletes. After the starting gun, competitors will pass through the village and begin a route that, beyond iconic landmarks, blends forest tracks, narrow but fast single trails, wooded sections, steep and picturesque ski resort service roads and chairlift paths, sweeping views of Lake Tahoe, and even the occasional snowfield still lingering from the harsh winter. The race finishes with a rocky downhill Trail, the most technical section of the course, along the slopes of Thunder Mountain.

MEN’S RACE: ATHLETES TO WATCH

Three athletes have dominated the four races held so far, and all three will go head-to-head for the first time this season in what promises to be a true duel in the sun. These are the top athletes to watch at Broken Arrow Skyrace:

• Patrick Kipngeno (Kenya – Run2gether On Trail). A dominant force in the two races he has competed in so far — Kobe Trail (Japan) and Jinshanling Great Wall Trail Race (China) — Kipngeno has proven he excels on this type of terrain. In fact, he won on this very course in 2024 with a time of 1:45:47, when the race was part of the Golden Trail National Series (GTNS).
• Philemon Kiriago (Kenya – Run2gether On Trail). The current GTWS leader returns to competition after claiming victory in his most recent race on the circuit. Following two second-place finishes in Japan and China, the Kenyan secured a win at Il Golfo dell’Isola (Italy). Now, Kiriago will fight to defend his lead against two of his biggest rivals.
• Elhousine Elazzaoui (Morocco – NNormal). The American continent has treated the newly crowned Zegama–Aizkorri (Spain) winner well. In 2024, Elazzaoui out-sprinted both Kipngeno and Kiriago in two thrilling finishes. Will we see a third high-speed showdown?
• Christian Allen (USA – Nike Trail). Just this Friday, he won the Vertical Kilometer at the Broken Arrow Skyrace, proving his excellent form. Allen has chosen to race on home soil to make his debut in this year’s GTWS season. Fifth at the 2024 Headlands 27K,  a race that is part of the circuit, he already showed he can challenge the ‘Big 3’ on this type of course.

WOMEN’S RACE: ATHLETES TO WATCH

The women’s race also promises a fast and fierce battle between athletes who have followed different paths this season — a clash that will unfold without the current series leader, Spain’s Sara Alonso (Asics). These are the top athletes to watch at Broken Arrow Skyrace:

• Madalina Florea (Romania – Scott Running). After a strong start to the season, capped off with a win in Italy, she returns to the circuit looking to prove she’s one of the standout athletes of the moment. A win or even a second place could push her to the top of the leaderboard.
• Joyce Muthoni Njeru (Kenya – NNormal). The reigning GTWS champion is looking to bounce back after a quiet start to the season, and what better place to do it than at a race she already won in 2024, crossing the finish line in 2:11:52.
• Anna Gibson (USA – Brooks). Just one week after the demanding Zegama – Aizkorri, Gibson was crowned U.S. Mountain Running Champion, making her the fittest local athlete at the moment. She confirmed her form this Friday by winning the Vertical Kilometer at the Broken Arrow Skyrace.
• Lauren Gregory (USA – Nike Trail). The American makes her 2025 GTWS debut as one of the top local athletes to watch. Her last appearance in the series came at the 2024 Grand Finale, where she claimed an impressive second place. She’ll go head-to-head with Anna Gibson once again, after finishing runner-up at the US Mountain Running Championships in early June.
• Allie McLaughlin (USA – Hoka). World Uphill Mountain Running Champion in 2022 and bronze medallist at the recent US Mountain Running Championships, McLaughlin will have another shot at beating her fellow Americans. Alongside Gregory and Gibson, she will represent the USA at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships this September.

Another standout local athlete will be Jessie Diggins (USA), Olympic and World Champion in cross-country skiing. While she’s not expected to contend for the overall win, Diggins is taking on the Triple Crown — competing in all three Broken Arrow Skyrace events over the weekend: the Vertical Kilometer on Friday, the 46 km race on Saturday, and the 21 km GTWS race on Sunday.

SCHEDULE & WHERE TO WATCH

The race will be broadcast live on the digital platforms Max and discovery+ (Europe) and TNT (USA and UK)

• Women’s race: 8:40 AM (UTC-7)
• Men’s race: 9:00 AM (UTC-7)

IN THE HEART OF THE SIERRA NEVADA

Located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, Olympic Valley is one of the most iconic regions in Northern California. Hosting the 1960 Winter Olympics marked a turning point in its history and cemented its reputation as a world-class mountain destination. Just a few minutes away lies Tahoe City, a charming town on the shores of Lake Tahoe — the largest freshwater lake in the mountain range. With crystal-clear waters surrounded by snow-capped peaks and pine forests, the area is a year-round paradise for nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts, offering skiing and snowboarding in winter, and trail running, cycling, and water sports in summer.