Trail Running Weekly Recap: 30 March – 5 April 2026

Spring is firmly in stride. While the global calendar took a brief breath after the drama of Chianti, the week of 30 March to 5 April served up compelling racing across three continents, a remarkable women's performance in the Georgia mountains, and a taste of what's coming as the season accelerates into April.

Georgia Death Race

The Performance of the Week: Grigsby Turns Heads in Georgia

If one result deserved to stop trail runners mid-scroll this week, it was Brianna Grigsby's run at the Georgia Death Race. The point-to-point 74-mile race through the mountains of northern Georgia finished inside Amicalola Falls State Park, and Grigsby crossed the line fourth overall — just 13 minutes behind men's winner Jack Elvin. Grigsby's winning time of 14:20 to Elvin's 14:07 made for one of the tightest gender gaps seen at a race of this distance and difficulty all season.

In a sport that increasingly celebrates women racing men off the mountain, Grigsby's performance was one of the week's genuine talking points.

Australia Delivers: Buffalo Stampede in the Victorian Alps

On the other side of the world, the Buffalo Stampede Festival in Bright, Victoria brought together a strong international cast for a full weekend of skyrunning in the Australian Alps.

The flagship 100k — a brutal out-and-back to the summit of Mount Buffalo National Park, totalling 5,000 metres of climbing — was dominated by China's Fu-Zhao Xiang and Australia's George Knight, who were runaway winners in 11:41 and 9:52 respectively. Xiang's win continued a strong run of form for Chinese distance runners on the world stage.

The 42k SkyMarathon, a dramatic downhill charge from the mountain into the township of Bright, went to Britain's Kate Avery and Australia's Charlie Hamilton in 4:00 and 3:21. Avery's result will be one to note as the European skyrunning season ramps up — she's a name that tends to travel well.

Spain and France: The European Weekend Circuit

Over in Spain, the long course 70k race produced an all-Spanish women's podium, with Azara García leading from the front to win in 8:22, six minutes clear of Aroa Sío in second. Switzerland's Lucien Epiney took the men's race in 6:57, with Alexis Martín and Manuel Mesa of Spain rounding out the podium.

In France, Sébastien Spehler retained his title on the 38k long course, winning for the second year running in 2:28. Diana Ballet took the women's honours in 3:23.

Romania: A National Star Runs True

One of the quieter but more interesting results of the week came from the Apuseni Mountains of Romania. Leonard Mitrica — who finished 14th at last year's Trail Running World Championships Long Trail — won the 37k in 2:57, with Delia Reit claiming the women's title in 3:43. Mitrica is a name worth keeping an eye on as championship season approaches.

North America: A Busy Weekend of Ultras

The North American weekend was packed. At the Badger Mountain Challenge in Richland, Washington, Christine Mosley and Kyle Elliot topped the 100-mile results in 22:48 and 18:55.

In Georgia, alongside the Death Race, the Bootlegger 100 Mile saw Bethany Madson claim both the women's title and the overall win in 16:18 — an impressive result that put her ahead of all the men — with Tyler Kelley leading the men's field in 18:54.

And in Chicago, Jeremy Arthur set a new course record at the Chicago Lakefront Spring 50k in 2:54, with Brooke Kirkham winning the women's race in 4:12.

Looking Ahead: The Season Is About to Shift Gears

All eyes now turn to Saturday 11 April, where the Calamorro Skyrace in Benalmádena, Spain opens the next chapter of the Merrell Skyrunner World Series. The 17th edition of the race tackles 27.5km of explosive, technical terrain in the Sierra de Mijas, with sweeping views over the Mediterranean coast, and is considered one of the most demanding and visually spectacular events in Andalusia. The current course records — set by Roberto Delorenzi (2:25:40) and Sara Alonso (2:59:08) — will be under threat if conditions favour fast racing.

The rescheduled Puerto Vallarta by UTMB follows on April 16–18, and then the calendar builds quickly toward Cocodona 250 in May, where Courtney Dauwalter and Rachel Entrekin are set to renew their rivalry. Spring is no longer warming up. It's here.