Ultra Pirineu 2026 Results: Calvó and Arenas Win Storm-Shortened Race

Photo : Salomon Ultra Pirineu by Marc Elia.

The flagship race was reduced from 100 kilometres to approximately 60 kilometres after thunderstorms forced major changes to the Ultra Pirineu programme. Julen Calvó and Gemma Arenas adapted best to the new course, while Alain Santamaría and Moana Lilly Kehres won the Marató Pirineu.

The 2026 Salomon Ultra Pirineu became a very different race from the one its runners had prepared for.

With thunderstorms forecast over the Cadí-Moixeró mountains, organisers activated the event’s bad-weather plan. The flagship course was shortened from its planned 100 kilometres and 6,600 metres of elevation gain to approximately 60 kilometres with close to 4,000 metres of climbing. The La Molina Nit Pirineu vertical race was cancelled, while the marathon course was also adjusted.

Calvó wins a close men’s race

Julen Calvó claimed his first Ultra Pirineu victory after one of the closest finishes of the weekend.

Calvó, Eliot Retulli and Pere Aurell remained locked together deep into the race before Calvó created the decisive gap over the closing kilometres. He reached the finish in Bagà in 5:32:33, only 1 minute and 49 seconds ahead of Retulli. Aurell completed the podium less than three minutes behind the winner.

Arenas returns to the top

Gemma Arenas produced a more controlled victory in the women’s race, finishing in 6:57:55.

The Spanish runner crossed the line 6 minutes and 30 seconds ahead of Jana Dobrovolná, with Pilar Medina taking third. The result brought Arenas back to the top of the Ultra Pirineu podium ten years after her previous victory in 2016.

Santamaría and Kehres win the Marató Pirineu

The revised Marató Pirineu covered 43.4 kilometres with 2,876 metres of elevation gain.

Alain Santamaría led the men’s race and won in 3:38:14, continuing a strong run of form after setting a course record at Gorbeia Suzien one week earlier. Josep Miret finished second, while 2025 winner Robert Pkemoi completed the podium.

Moana Lilly Kehres controlled the women’s race to win in 4:24:29. Varvara Shikanova finished second in 4:28:19, followed by Inés Astrain in 4:30:20.

Hold W Club · Race Results

Ultra Pirineu 2026

Bagà, Spain
3 October 2026

Ultra Pirineu

Men

≈60 KM
≈4,000 M+

Pos. Runner Nat. Time

1

Julen Calvó

ESP 5:32:33

2

Eliot Retulli

FRA 5:34:22

3

Pere Aurell

ESP 5:35:10

Ultra Pirineu

Women

≈60 KM
≈4,000 M+

Pos. Runner Nat. Time

1

Gemma Arenas

ESP 6:57:55

2

Jana Dobrovolná

CZE 7:04:25

3

Pilar Medina

ESP 7:14:50

Marató Pirineu

Men

43.4 KM
2,876 M+

Pos. Runner Nat. Time

1

Alain Santamaría

ESP 3:38:14

2

Josep Miret

ESP 3:47:00

3

Robert Pkemoi

KEN 3:48:00

Marató Pirineu

Women

43.4 KM
2,876 M+

Pos. Runner Nat. Time

1

Moana Lilly Kehres

ESP 4:24:29

2

Varvara Shikanova

RUS 4:28:19

3

Inés Astrain

ESP 4:30:20

Ultra course shortened due to the forecast risk of thunderstorms.

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