Time to regroup. After a hectic 2025 with additional new races (Vietnam Mountain Marathon and Grampians Peaks Ultra 100 Miler) and the addition of the Short Series, it has been decided not to add any new events
Swiss Canyon Trail by Kailas Fuga and Grand Raid des Pyrenees will not be part of World Trail Majors 2026
The tiebreaker system is being revised to improve fairness between races and results
The overall victories of Sunmaya Budha and Caleb Olson in the Long category and Fuzhao Xiang and Jianjian Yang in the Short category brought the World Trail Majors Series to a close a few weeks ago at RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town, but 2026 is just around the corner. After launching the series in 2024 and 2025 giving exponential growth, World Trail Majors is now firmly established. It is time to regroup, consolidate and seek stability.
2024, 2025, time for stability in 2026
On 13 November 2023, World Trail Majors was unveiled. It was a year of introduction, raising awareness and joining forces. Courtney Dauwalter and Miguel Arsénio brought prestige to the inaugural edition of the series, putting it on the calendar and in the minds of amateur and elite runners alike.
2025 saw exponential growth, the addition of two races — the Vietnam Mountain Marathon and the Grampians Peaks Ultra 100 Miler — all of which doubled with the newly created Short Series. From 10 to 24 races, a new continent, four champions and excellent results for the series, which was already on the minds of runners and brands, a remarkable Asian presence, winners not decided until the last race and an outstanding level of competition. Thousands and thousands of runners, fulfilling their dreams.
2026 seeks to continue growing, but not in terms of races, which will in fact decrease; it seeks to grow in presence, in strength, one by one, and in the sum of all events, to continue to be present in the calendar of the world’s best runners and fans, who know the history and status of the races; in visibility in communication, broadcasts and content.
Swiss Canyon Trail by Kailas Fuga and Grand Raid des Pyrenees will not be part of World Trail Majors 2026, but their contributions have been extraordinary. They are great races, special and unique, with their own identity and they are benchmark events in their countries. World Trail Majors recommends them and wishes them all the best for the future. Despite receiving dozens of proposals, none will be added to the new calendar.
New season, more momentum
2026 is the year in which World Trail Majors aims to consolidate its position, and to this end, the management has decided that it is time to regroup, continuing with the same goal of independent races pulling in the same direction for healthy trail running, promoting cultural diversity, identity and care for the environment and communities, both local and those involved in the sport.
Stability does not mean standing still. World Trail Majors is here to stay and grow, with ten strong events on four continents, tens of thousands of runners, local support from the communities where the races are held, and respect for diversity, identity and the sport of Trail and Ultra running.
Just a slight tweak to the scoring system, which remains inclusive (all runners score points) and fair (all races score equally): only the best two results are counted, and for tiebreakers, the average of both ITRA ratings will now be counted, rather than just the higher one as was the case until now. It is a fairer system for runners and races.
2026 is here!
The series kicks off on the 22nd January, with the Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100, followed by the Black Canyon Ultras presented by Hoka. In early March, the series arrives in Europe with The North Face Transgrancanaria, followed by a weekend of world-class trail running with the doubleheader of Mt. FUJI 100 and MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail. In May, we head to the United Kingdom for the South Downs Way 100, and in early July, the Quebec Mega Trail in Canada.
The second half of the year will once again be the time to visit Asia, with the Vietnam Mountain Marathon presented by Kailas Fuga in September, Oceania with the Grampians Peaks Trail 100 Miler, and the grand finale on African soil, with the extraordinary series closer of the RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town.
It is sure to be another year of fierce competition, dreams, hills and mountains, rivers and oceans, hard work, joy, a few tears, and some amazing experiences. 2026 is just around the corner for World Trail Majors.
About World Trail Majors
Established in 2024, World Trail Majors is a non-profit association formed by twelve independent trail running races with the aim of promoting the sport in a diverse, sustainable, and respectful way that aims to safeguard the original spirit of Trail/Ultra running. In 2025 the series were formed by Hong Kong 100, Black Canyon Ultras presented by Hoka, The North Face Transgrancanaria, Mt. FUJI 100, MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, Swiss Canyon Trail by Kailas Fuga, South Downs Way 100, Quebec Mega Trail, Grand Raid des Pyrenees, Vietnam Mountain Marathon presented by Kailas Fuga, Grampians Peaks Trail 100 Miler, and RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town.
