The Mountain Running World Cup features 15 races in 2025 (© Marco Gulberti)
A calendar featuring 15 races spanning nine events and eight countries across three continents has been announced for the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup in 2025.
The season begins in May with a new destination for the World Cup: Romania and the Zmeu Xfest in the northern Carpathian Mountains within the legendary region of Bucovina.
Bucovina is not just a place; it is a state of mind. Campulung Moldovenesc, located in Romania’s most forested region, is famed for its more than 1000 mountain trails, UNESCO heritage sites, and unparalleled hospitality. The opening weekend promises excitement, debuting a new classic mountain race on 4 May.
Later in May (24-25), the second race lands in Casto, Italy, for the Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego events. This quaint town in the Brescia Prealps will witness elite athletes competing to etch their names on the prestigious Nasego honour roll.
From the Brescia Prealps, the series moves to Poland for the Tatra Fest, a mountain race steeped in history. This event honours Poland’s first mountain races, which began in 1925 as the Tatra March. The jubilee edition celebrates a century of mountain running tradition and hosts a stage of the Mountain Running World Cup in Zakopane on 15 June, featuring the Tatra Race Run and its 25km classic race.
After the historic race in Poland, the series crosses the Atlantic to the United States for the Broken Arrow Skyrace. This iconic event kicks off with a short uphill race on Friday 20 June, followed by a classic 23km race on the Sunday. Renowned for hosting world champions and World Cup winners, Broken Arrow promises to deliver a thrilling continuation of the series.
The World Cup then breaks new ground, heading to China for the first time with two races: the Chongli World Cup Uphill and the Chongli World Cup Classic on 5-6 July.
Located in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, 260km north of Beijing, Chongli boasts a rich history, exceptional ecological surroundings, and an average summer temperature of 19°C. With over 50% forest cover, its pristine environment provides an ideal backdrop for mountain running.
Mid-July sees the World Cup arrive in Briancon, France, for the Vauban Mountain Trail on 19-20 July, featuring uphill and classic races. As Europe’s highest city, Briancon offers breathtaking views of the Ecrins National Park, with its glaciers and peaks soaring above 4000m. The uphill race culminates at 2400m, offering a stunning finish to this leg of the series.
An old favorite, Giir di Mont, rejoins the World Cup circuit in late July. Held in Premana, Italy, the event now includes an uphill race on Saturday 26 July, which also serves as the Italian Championships for the discipline. On the Sunday, the grueling 32km race, featuring steep ascents and challenging descents, promises to captivate spectators with its electrifying atmosphere atop the mountain.
The legendary Sierre-Zinal race in Switzerland, known as the ‘Race of the Five 4000s’, takes place on 9 August. This iconic event attracts top-tier talent annually. The 2024 edition saw extraordinary performances, with Joyline Chepngeno emerging as a new star and Kilian Jornet claiming an unprecedented 10th victory.
Just 15 days later, the focus shifts to Slovenia for the Mountain Running World Cup finale. On Saturday 23 August the 2025 uphill final will take place on Velika Planina in Kamnik, following a course used in the 2010 World Mountain Running Championships and the 2017 European Off-Road Championships. This very route is set to host the European Off-Road Running Championships in June 2026.
The season concludes on Sunday 24 August, with the classic distance event at Smarna Gora. The iconic Church of the Mother of God, a Baroque structure dating back to 1711, will provide a memorable backdrop. The church bells, a hallmark of Slovenian tradition known as ‘pritrkovanje’, will ring out as every Sunday, symbolically accompanying the runners as they compete in this historic race. It’s a fitting end to a season celebrating both tradition and innovation in mountain running.
In collaboration with esteemed mountain race organisers, and upholding the World Mountain Running Association’s unwavering commitment to clean sportsmanship, all races will feature WADA-accredited anti-doping measures. To further support athletes, the WMRA has enhanced travel assistance and increased the overall prize pool, with the World Cup champions set to receive €5,000 in 2025.
Hector Rubio (WMRA) for World Athletics
4 May: Zmeu X-Fest (ROM)
24 May: Vertical Nasego (ITA)
25 May: Trofeo Nasego (ITA)
15 June: Tatra Fest (POL)
20 June: Broken Arrow Uphill (USA)
22 June: Broken Arrow Skyrace (USA)
5 July: Chongli World Cup Uphill (CHN)
6 July: Chongli World Cup Classic (CHN)
19 July: Vauban Mountain Trail Uphill (FRA)
20 July: Vauban Mountain Trail (FRA)
26 July: Giir di Mont Uphill (ITA)
27 July: Giir di Mont (ITA)
9 August: Sierre-Zinal (SUI)
23 August: World Cup Final Velika Planina (SLO)
24 August: World Cup Final Smarna Gora (SLO)
