Joyce Muthoni Njeru in Broken Arrow Skyrace action (© Marco Gulberti for WMRA)
The World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) has unveiled its 2026 World Cup calendar, featuring 16 races in 10 events across 10 countries, spanning three continents and introducing four new events to the circuit.
The 2026 calendar celebrates both tradition and innovation, bringing together iconic classics and exciting new venues, reflecting the global reach and rapid growth of mountain running. It travels from central Portugal to Asia, across the Atlantic, into the Alps, and finally to Canada for a spectacular finale.
The series begins in central Portugal, near Granja, Castro Daire, where São Brás Cross – one of the new entries – opens the season with fast, technical and authentic Portuguese mountain terrain, perfect for early-season form-testing.
One weekend later, the circuit moves to Asia, where China hosts an uphill and an up & down race among the dramatic ridgelines and the Great Wall.
Next is a classic, with a double weekend in Transvulcania and La Isla de La Palma. Set among the island’s spectacular volcanic landscapes, this iconic island will offer an uphill and long-distance race.
The World Cup then crosses the Atlantic to the Sierra Nevada for another new addition, the Broken Arrow Skyrace, before travelling back to Europe – and into the Alps – as Austria hosts the legendary uphill race to the foot of the Grossglockner glacier.
The Vauban Mountain Trail is set in the alpine corridors and historic fortifications of Briançon, and features an uphill and an up & down race, combining technical ridges with big views and a vibrant mountain sports culture.
Then it’s on to Sierre-Zinal, where the finest athletes in the world gather to chase fast times through the heart of the Valais.
Italy hosts a classic season-defining weekend with Vertical Nasego (uphill) and Trofeo Nasego (long-distance). The combination of steep climbs, fast descents and passionate local support makes this a pivotal block in the race for overall and category standings.
The Maraton Trzech Jezior is a new long-distance entry into the calendar and hosts the long-distance final of the World Cup. Set among the lakes and rolling landscapes of western Poland, this flowing, forested course adds both speed and scenic beauty to the late season.
The World Cup season concludes at the Défi des Couleurs in Canada with a spectacular finals weekend offering both an uphill and the classic up & downhill final race. Autumn colours, technical forest trails and a festival-like atmosphere will create a world-class environment for the final fights for podiums and points.
The WMRA is introducing new category prize money for each of the World Cup disciplines in 2026: uphill, classic up & downhill, and long-distance. This complements the overall WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026 prize money available to the top 10 men and top 10 women. Across all races, total prize money will reach approximately €250,000.
The WMRA also maintains its long-standing commitment to clean sport. Up to 30% of every race’s registration fees is reinvested into anti-doping controls, ensuring that every single race undergoes testing.
WMRA for World Athletics
WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026
19 April: São Brás Cross, up & down (POR)
25-26 April: uphill and up & down (CHN)
7-9 May: Transvulcania, uphill and long-distance (ESP)
19-21 June: Broken Arrow, uphill and long-distance (USA)
5 July: Grossglockner Mountain Run, up & down (AUT)
18-19 July: Vauban Mountain Trail, uphill and up & down (FRA)
8 August: Sierre-Zinal, long-distance (SUI)
5-6 September: Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego, uphill and long-distance (ITA)
19 September: Maraton Trzech Jezior, long-distance final (POL)
10-11 October: Défi des Couleurs, uphill and up & down finals (CAN)
