World Trail moves from Spain to South Africa as Otter TERREX Trail looms large this weekend

The eyes of the Mountain and Trail Running world turn to Cape Town following the successful completion of the third World Mountain and Trail Running Championship at the Spanish town of CanFranc in the heart of the Pyrenees on Sunday (28 September), while South Africa’s leading trail athletes prepare to race tomorrow’s (Saturday 4 October) Otter TERREX Trail, presented by Easy Equities, to be run between Storms River and Nature’s Valley.

Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Bertha Peace Mabe, was in CanFranc for the week to formally accept the honour of Cape Town hosting the fourth World Championship in October 2027.

“It is with great pride and anticipation that I speak to you as a representative of the next host nation of this prestigious event,” Deputy Minister Mabe said at the closing ceremony. “In 2027 the next round of this championship comes to Africa. Although it will be hosted in Cape Town, it is representative of the whole continent of 54 African nations.”

Before speaking with passion and pride about Cape Town, Mabe paid tribute to the team responsible for hosting the CanFranc event.

“Let me begin by offering congratulations to all the leads and partners who contributed to the hosting of this event,” Mabe continued. “Over the past four days, we have witnessed not only the top athletics performances but also the spirit of unity, the spirit of resilience and camaraderie what defines this sport.

“You have set a new standard of excellence and for that we are deeply inspired.”

While impressed at the mountain beauty of CanFranc, the Deputy Minister presented Cape Town as one of the most extraordinary cities in the world.  “It is home to the iconic Table Mountain, officially recognised as one of the new seven wonders of nature”, she said.

“This majestic mountain rises above the city and will serve both as a dramatic backdrop and formidable challenge for the whole of the world’s trail runners. Cape Town’s trails offer a unique blend of natural beauty, technical challenges and unforgettable views.

“But Cape Town is more than just a natural wonder – it is a city of diversity, heritage and energy”.

Mabe acknowledged those organisations involved in securing Cape Town as host destination in 2027. “The successful bid was a tireless collaboration between Golazo South Africa, Athletics South Africa, Western Province Athletics, the City of Cape Town, the Western Cape Government and our own Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and I thank all these partners for their unwavering dedication.”

Turning to the athletes, she congratulated the medal winners, particularly noting the strong showing by athletes from Africa in the ‘Uphill 6km’ and the Mountain Running Classic over 14km

“We would like to congratulate our brothers and sisters from Kenya and Uganda for their stellar performances at this Championship.”

Kenya won the team gold in the Uphill 6km, the first event of the championships, after experienced Swiss athlete, Remi Bonnet, took line honours, well clear of Kenyans Richard Atuya and Patrick Kipngeno, who took silver and bronze.

Nina Engelhard of Germany won gold in the women’s competition, 26 seconds clear of Susanna Saapunki of Finland.  American Anna Gibson took the bronze medal, with Italy winning the team gold medal.

Kenya and Uganda performed strongly at the Mountain Running Classic, run over 14,3km with a total elevation gain of 767m on the final day of the championships. The two-loop course was fast and runnable and included longer sections on paved and gravel roads. Separate races were held for men and women.

Ugandan Martin Kiprotich took an early lead and held a 14 sec advantage over Kenyan Philemon Kiriago at the summit of the first loop, with a second Kenyan, Ken Koros in third.

Kiriago, who won the competitive Sierra Zinal race in Switzerland in August, closed on the descent with just two seconds separating the athletes going into the second loop. Kenya’s Paul Mochoka and Koros were close behind in third and fourth.

Kiriago’s speed on the second descent decided the outcome, with the Kenyan taking gold in 62:30, 44 seconds clear of Kiprotich.  Machoka held off Swiss athlete, Domnik Rolli, for the bronze medal with Koros’ fifth place clinching the team gold medal for Kenya.

German athlete, Nina Engelhard, surprised the east Africans, taking the lead after 2km from the Ugandan trio of Saibi Chebet, Rispa Cherop and Kerine Cherop and had already built a 21 second lead near the first summit 4km into the race.

There was no catching the flying German, and she raced home for the gold, almost two minutes clear of Kenyan, Ruth Gitonga, with Swiss athlete Oria Liaci edging out well-known Kenyan trail athlete, Joyce Njeru for the bronze.

The ‘Short’ and ‘Long’ Trail races took place in the high mountains and were run over 45km and 81km respectively, both offering significant challenges in vertical metres gained and the technical nature of the course.

The sport of orienteering develops skill sets in determining best routes over challenging mountain ridges and valleys and it was no coincidence that world-champion orienteers won the individual titles in the Short Trail race.

Five years ago, French orienteer and trail athlete, Frédéric Tranchand, and Swedish orienteering dare-devil, Tove Alexandersson, took line honours on the first day of the Golden Series Championship on the island of Faial in the Azores. And again they reigned supreme in the ‘Short Trail’ 45km race on a course with a lung-searing 3,657m of climbing and a wild 122 downhill ‘zig-zag’ to the finish line.

Both Tranchand and Alexandersson took the lead early in the race and stayed ahead of their rivals, Tranchand winning by just 3 minutes ahead of Spanish athlete Manuel Merillas while Alexandersson, who placed 17^th overall, put more than thirty minutes into second-placed Sara Alonso, also of Spain.

If the Short Trail was technically challenging, competitors in the Long Trail must have considered carrying ropes and crampons to tackle the mountain loop around Canfranc, which included no less than 5,078m of elevation gain, with an initial 1,500m climb to the summit of La Moleta, the highest point on the course at 2,572m.

American Jim Walmsley, who won the 2021 Ultra-trail Cape Town 100km in record time on the slopes of Table Mountain, triumphed in over 81km in CanFranc.  

Some may have doubted Walmsley’s ability over extreme terrain, the American having achieved high honours in road ultra-marathons, but after a race-long battle with French athletes Benjamin Roubiol (defending champion) and Louison Coiffet, Walmsley pulled away in the final quarter to win in 8:35:11, nine minutes clear of the French pair who crossed the line together.

French-based American, Katie Schide, is currently the world’s top-ranked trail athlete and lived up to her pre-race favourite billing with a pillar to post victory in 9:57:59, 25 minutes clear of the impressive Sunmaya Budha from Nepal with Italian Fabiola Conti a further 12 minutes back in third.

Canadian Jazmine Lowther, who won last year’s Ultra-trail Cape Town 100km, finished 4^th .

And now mountain and trail runners will be looking to Cape Town, the first destination in Africa or the Southern Hemisphere to host the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships

“Come and visit Cape Town in 2027 – we’re waiting for you with open arms,” said Mayor of CT Geordin Hill-Lewis in a video link to CanFranc. “We will welcome you here in a city of hope and opportunity for everyone, not just in Cape Town but throughout the whole country.”

The Deputy Minister echoed those words in her closing remarks. “As we accept the responsibility of hosting the 2027 Championship, we do so with humility, with passion, with pride and with purpose. 

“We are learning from the best. Having been part of the observer programme in CanFranc, we have gained insights that will guide us in delivering an event that honours its legacy.

“To the international trail and mountain running family, you are warmly invited. Come run with us and explore the peaks and trails of Africa. Come to Cape Town where the mountain meets the sea, where cultures converge and where every sunrise promises a new adventure. We are ready to welcome you.”

Athletics South Africa President James Moloi echoed the Deputy Minister’s words, reflecting his pride that Cape Town had been selected as the host city for the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.

“This is a strong testament to the capability of South Africa to deliver world-class events in spectacular locations. I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Western Province Athletics and all our partners, particularly Golazo South Africa, whose tireless efforts were instrumental in securing this bid, and also our partners in sport SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).”

WP Athletics president, Farouk Meyer, told the world media at CanFranc that securing the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships for Cape Town was a proud milestone. “This strengthens our commitment to grow all disciplines within athletics and gives trail running a powerful platform to thrive.

“Partnering with Golazo South Africa, we are determined to deliver a championship of the highest standard – one that energises our local athletics community, boosts participation, and creates a positive ripple effect for Cape Town’s tourism economy.

Meyer emphasised that the championship was more than a race for Western Province Athletics. “It is an opportunity to showcase the depth of talent and passion that exists in our province and across Africa. We are ready to welcome elite runners from more than 80 nations, along with recreational trail runners, to take on the rugged but rewarding challenges of Table Mountain and Lion’s Head.”

Anyone interested in participating in Cape Town ’27 can register their interest on capetown2027.com

Closer to home, South Arica’s leading trail athletes, and several from across the world, will line up at 06h30 tomorrow to race Otter TERREX Trail along 42km of single track trail through the enchanting Tsitsikamma Forest.

Elite athletes will be targeting a four-hour finish for a hiking trail which usually takes five days and with a prize purse that’s deeper than ever, the 2025 race is predicted to be one of the most exciting and close-fought in the event’s 16 year history.

Top two in last year’s race, Scottish athlete, Robbie Simpson, and local favourite, Kane Reilly, will again compete strongly for line honours with fierce competition expected from past winner Johardt van Heerden, Robbie Rorich, Jacues Buys, Mvuyisi Gcogco, German Marcel Hoeche and Zimbabwean Admire Muzopambwa.

South Africa’s leading female trail athletes, Toni McCann and Bianca Tarboton, have both enjoyed past success at the Otter and the dual between the two athletes from the adidas TERREX stable is likely to be one of the highlights of the day.  Rebecca Watney and New Zealand-based Naomi Brand are also strong contenders for podium positions.

Results

2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championship

Men – Uphill 6km

1. Rémi Bonnet (Switzerland) – 37:50
2. Richard Omaya Atuya (Kenya) – 39:04
3. Patrick Kipngeno (Kenya) – 39:20
4. Christian Allen (U.S.) – 39:28
5. Jacob Adkin (Great Britain) – 39:34
6. Eliud Cherop (Uganda) – 40:09
7. Jonathan Castillo (Colombia) – 40:16
8. Andrea Elia (Italy) – 40:20
9. Quentin Meyleu (France) – 40:20
10. Théodore Klein (France) – 40:24

Men’s Teams

1. Kenya
2. Switzerland
3. United States

Women – Upill 6km

1. Nina Engelhard (Germany) – 45:33
2. Susanna Saapunki (Finland) – 45:59
3. Anna Gibson (U.S.) – 46:07
4. Martha Chemutai (Uganda) – 46:44
5. Francesca Ghelfi (Italy) – 47:13
6. Christel Dewalle (France) – 47:16
7. Lucia Arnoldo (Italy) – 47:32
8. Nélie Clément (France) – 47:40
9. Laura Hottenrott (Germany) – 47:43
10. Emma Cook-Clarke (Canada) – 48:07

Women’s Teams

1. Italy
2. France
3. Canada

Men – Short Trail 45km

1. Frédéric Tranchand (France) – 4:42:10
2. Manuel Merillas (Spain) – 4:45:33
3. Andreu Blanes (Spain) – 4:51:52
4. Alain Santamaria (Spain) – 4:55:48
5. Marcin Kubica (Poland) – 4:56:38
6. Luca Del Pero (Italy) – 4:56:57
7. Martin Nilsson (Sweden) – 4:57:09
8. Davide Magnini (Italy) – 4:57:42
9. Sylvain Cachard (France) – 4:58:23
10. Lorenzo Rota Martir (Italy) – 4:58:54

Men’s Teams

1. Spain
2. Italy
3. France

Women – Short Trail 45km

1. Tove Alexandersson (Sweden) – 5:04:20
2. Sara Alonso (Spain) – 5:38:15
3. Naomi Lang (Great Britain) – 5:38:54
4. Ida Amelie Robsahm (Norway) – 5:44:54
5. Anna Plattner (Austria) – 5:45:40
6. Clémentine Geoffray (France) – 5:46:28
7. Jane Maus (U.S.) – 5:48:23
8. Ikram Rharsalla (Spain) – 5:53:19
9. Johanna Gelfgren (Sweden) – 5:56:41
10. Barbora Bukovjan (Czech Republic) – 5:56:43

Women’s Teams

1. Sweden
2. Spain
3. France

Men – Long Trail 81km

• 1. Jim Walmsley (U.S.) – 8:35:11
• 2. Benjamin Roubiol (France) – 8:46:05
• 2. Louison Coiffet (France) – 8:46:05
• 4. Cristian Minoggio (Italy) – 8:57:16
• 5. Peter Fraňo (Slovakia) – 9:01:37
• 6. Petter Engdahl (Sweden) – 9:03:38
• 7. Andrzej Witek (Poland) – 9:12:38
• 8. Adam Peterman (U.S.) – 9:18:36
• 9. Francesco Puppi (Italy) – 9:20:22
• 10. Vincent Bouillard (France) – 9:22:10

Men’s Teams

1. France
2. USA
3. Italy

Women – Long Trail 81km

1. Katie Schide (U.S.) – 9:57:59
2. Sunmaya Budha (Nepal) – 10:23:03
3. Fabiola Conti (Italy) – 10:35:51
4. Jazmine Lowther (Canada) – 10:45:18
5. Rosa Lara (Spain) – 10:47:15
6. Anne-Lise Rousset Séguret (France) – 10:50:45
7. Martina Valmassoi (Italy) – 10:55:07
8. Marion Delespierre (France) – 11:03:01
9. Giuditta Turini (Italy) – 11:05:19
10. Hillary Gerardi (France) – 11:05:20

Women’s Teams

4. Italy
5. United States
6. France

Men – Up and Down 14km

1. Philemon Kiriago (Kenya) – 62:30
2. Martin Kiprotich (Uganda) – 63:14
3. Paul Machoka (Kenya) – 63:25
4. Dominik Rolli (Switzerland) – 63:56
5. Ken Koros (Kenya) – 64:08
6. Michael Selelo Saoli (Kenya) – 64:24
7. Aziz Chebet (Uganda) – 64:30
8. Brayan Rodriguez (Mexico) – 64:36
9. Jonathan Castillo (Colombia) – 64:38
10. Isaac Costa (Italy) – 65:01

Men’s Teams

1 Kenya

2 Uganda

3 Italy

Women – Up and Down 14km

1. Nina Engelhard (Germany) – 71:00
2. Ruth Gitonga (Kenya) – 72:54
3. Oria Liaci (Switzerland) – 73:15
4. Joyce Njeru (Kenya) – 73:37
5. Lauren Gregory (U.S.) – 73:38
6. Rispa Cherop (Uganda) – 73:42
7. Nélie Clément (France) – 74:09
8. Gloria Chebet (Kenya) – 74:39
9. Saibi Chebet (Uganda) – 75:03
10. Elisa Morin (Canada) – 75:16

Women’s Teams

1 Kenya

2 USA

3 Switzerland