Trail Running Weekend Recap: 15–18 May 2026
Tove Alexandersson by Silva
One of the biggest weekends of the trail running year. Four major races across four countries, a legendary return that didn't go to plan, a women's course record for the ages, and two Brits who made Wales look easy. Here's everything that happened.
The Main Dish: Zegama — Elazzaoui Repeats, Alexandersson Destroys the Course Record
The 25th edition of the Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon had one story written before the gun went off — Kilian Jornet's return. It ended with two completely different ones.
Morocco's Elhousine Elazzaoui defended his men's title in thrilling style, with Italy's Daniel Pattis right on his shoulder for most of the race before Elazzaoui did what he always does — blasted the final downhill to win in 3:45:07. Pattis crossed in 3:45:27, just 20 seconds back, with American Taylor Stack third in 3:52:17. Manuel Merillas was fourth, and Rémi Bonnet sixth — leading the early climb before being swallowed up by the front runners at 23k.
Elhousine Elazzaoui for Nnmormal
But there was no fairytale return for Kilian Jornet. The 11-time champion, back after sitting out 2025, faded in the second half of the race and crossed the line in 43rd place — reportedly dealing with a leg issue. He was given a hero's reception by the Basque crowds throughout, as befits a man who has done more than anyone to make Zegama what it is. But the mountain giveth and the mountain taketh away.
The women's race was something else entirely. Tove Alexandersson was simply untouchable. Defending champion Sara Alonso matched her stride for stride through the opening kilometres, but the moment the course pitched upward Alexandersson was gone. By Sancti Spiritu just before halfway she had eight minutes on Alonso. By 30k it was double digits. She smashed the women's course record and won with emphatic authority, with local favourite Malen Osa overtaking Alonso for second, and Alonso taking third. Norway's Ida Amelie Robsahm finished fourth.
A day that will be talked about in the Basque mountains for a long time.
Snowdonia: Wade and Albon Rule Wales
While Zegama grabbed the biggest headlines, UTMB Snowdonia delivered a weekend of dominant British performances in the Welsh mountains.
In the UTS 100M, France's Beñat Marmissolle won in 21:59 — taking a staggering 1 hour 42 minutes off Mark Darbyshire's previous course record. A result that rewrites what we thought was possible on that course.
In the 100K, Paul Cornut-Chauvincourt won the men's race with Ariane Wilhelm taking the women's title.
The 50K went to Jonathan Albon — The North Face athlete dominating from the front in 5:34:07, nearly 26 minutes clear of second place. And in the flagship 78.4K, Josh Wade delivered one of the performances of the weekend — crossing in 6:56:44, a crushing 75-minute gap over second place David Rees. Both results underline why British mountain running is having such a strong moment right now.
Australia: Miao Yao Ends Croft's Streak
Down in the Blue Mountains, the UTA50 delivered exactly the race everyone had been waiting for. Miao Yao said beforehand that UTA was supposed to be more of a training race — until racing Ruth Croft pushed it to full intensity. The result: Yao winning in 4:33:12, just 90 seconds ahead of Croft, with Holly Ranson third.
Croft's streak of four consecutive wins comes to an end — but only just. At 90 seconds over 50K in the Blue Mountains, you could argue the streak is still very much alive in spirit. Croft's focus now shifts to her UTMB title defence later in the summer. Yao, meanwhile, heads back to Europe with a major confidence boost ahead of her CCC target.
Trail Alsace by UTMB — A Full Weekend in the Vosges
The Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB ran across the weekend of 15–17 May, routing runners through the Vosges mountains of northeastern France past medieval castles, ancient forest trails, and Alsatian villages. Results from the flagship distances are still filtering through, but the event's atmosphere — consistently rated among the best on the UTMB World Series calendar — drew thousands of runners to one of France's most beautiful race settings.
The Bigger Picture
What a weekend to be a trail running fan. Zegama delivered drama, history, and a reminder that the sport's greatest icon is human after all. Snowdonia showed British mountain running in its best light. Australia handed Croft her first defeat in months. And the calendar rolls on — Western States, and UTMB are all on the horizon. Spring is almost done. Summer is coming.
