Trail Running Weekend Recap: 24–26 April 2026
Photo : Arao Sio - winner of Canyons 100k
Three continents, three iconic race venues, and enough drama to fill a week. The last weekend of April delivered one of the richest racing weekends of the spring — with results that will shape conversations all the way to Chamonix and beyond.
Madeira: Hartmuth and Esmiol Rule the Atlantic
The 17th edition of the Madeira Island Ultra-Trail — the MIUT 110k — kicked off at midnight on Saturday April 25 from Porto Moniz on the island's wild northwest coast. After last year's course was rerouted due to devastating wildfires, this year's race returned close to its original routing across the island to Machico in the east — a testament to an incredible post-fire trail rehabilitation effort.
Germany's Katharina Hartmuth was untouchable. By the Estanquinhos checkpoint at 30k, after essentially 10k of climbing, she was already well clear and pulling away steadily. By 44k she had extended to 28 minutes over France's Helen Mino Faukner, and she never looked back — winning with emotional celebration at the finish.
The men's race was equally controlled in its final act. France's Vincent Esmiol reached the checkpoint near the summit of Pico Ruivo at 69k in first place, nearly six minutes ahead of Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz and seven ahead of Gautier Airiau. From there he managed his lead through muddy trails and grey mist to take a commanding win.
Canyons 100k: Golden Tickets Decided in the Sierra Nevada
Out in Auburn, California, the Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB served as the final Western States Golden Ticket race of the season — and it delivered a thriller on both sides of the draw.
With no clear favourite entering the race, nearly 700 runners started in brisk temperatures at the China Wall trailhead, facing approximately 12,300 feet of elevation gain and 17,000 feet of descent across the rerouted 100k course.
On the men's side, Adam Peterman took control near the halfway mark and never looked back, winning for the second time at Canyons — adding to his 2022 victory — in 8:18:47. Zach Miller ran a strong race to hold second in 8:21:05, and Hayden Hawks made a decisive move in the final four miles to pass Can-Hua Luo and secure the third Golden Ticket, finishing in 8:23:28.
The women's race had even more drama. Riley Brady came from behind to win in what turned into a gripping final act. Careth Arnold led for much of the race — through Michigan Bluff and Foresthill — but Brady hunted her down to take the win. Arnold finished a strong second but declined her Golden Ticket to focus on the Hardrock 100 this summer. Sarah Allaben surged in the final 10k to take third, while Sarah Humble accepted the fourth Golden Ticket via rolling down.
Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB: Experience Wins on the Giant of Provence
On the slopes of Mont Ventoux, the second edition of the Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB proved emphatically that this event has arrived as one of Europe's great trail weekends — drawing 4,000 runners from 50+ nationalities across four distances.
On the flagship Ultra Géant de Provence (125km, 5,700m D+), Britain's Andy Symonds — a Vaucluse local at 44 years old — won in 13:07, with Aubin Ferrari 17 minutes back and Sébastien Poesy third, 35 minutes behind. France's Jennifer Lemoine dominated the women's race with over 20 minutes on American Christine Selman at 15k to go, managing her lead calmly to the finish.
On the 87km Grande Épopée Ventoux, Baptiste Chassagne — winner of the Diagonale des Fous — took command from the very first kilometres and never relinquished it, crossing in 8:00:24 in a demonstration of calm authority. Germany's Ida-Sophie Hegemann won the women's race in 10:00:29.
On the shorter 26km Trail des Coteaux, Skyrunner World Series leader Frédéric Tranchand confirmed his status as reigning world trail champion, winning in 1:43:49 with only seconds to spare over a charging podium. Élise Poncet of Arc'teryx won the women's race with authority.
The Big Picture: Western States Taking Shape
With Canyons in the books, the Golden Ticket class for Western States 100 on June 27–28 is now essentially complete. Peterman, Miller, and Hawks join a men's field that includes Kilian Jornet, while Brady, Allaben, and Humble add to a women's lineup that features Courtney Dauwalter, Martyna Młynarczyk, and Yngvild Kaspersen. June in the Sierra Nevada is shaping up to be one of the most stacked editions in years.
