With less than 90 days to go before the opening race of the 2026 season, the World Cup will get underway on 19 April in Portugal, marking the start of another truly international mountain running campaign.

This is the second press release in the discipline series, focusing on the Long Distance discipline to continue with the full overview of the 2026 World Cup calendar.

* Geographically, La Palma (Spain) is located on the African continental plate.

THREE DISCIPLINES, ONE WORLD CUP: THE LONG DISTANCE DISCIPLINE

The Long Distance discipline represents the endurance-based category of mountain running within the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup. Races are designed to test sustained aerobic capacity, pacing strategy and terrain management over extended distances.

In accordance with mountain running guidelines, Long Distance races range from 22 km to 45 km. Courses may include a combination of uphill and downhill sections, or may be designed as predominantly uphill courses, depending on the natural terrain and race concept. As a general technical reference, average elevation gain typically ranges between 80 and 120 metres per kilometre.

Long Distance races place emphasis on endurance, efficiency and consistency, requiring athletes to manage prolonged physical effort across varied mountain terrain.

Photo copyright: Marco Gulberti

Within the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup, the Long Distance discipline forms a core structural element of the series, connecting historic reference races with modern international events and ensuring a globally consistent competitive framework.

LONG DISTANCE RACES: ENDURANCE ACROSS A GLOBAL CIRCUIT

VOLCANIC ENDURANCE IN THE ATLANTIC
Transvulcania — Long

The Long Distance discipline opens in Spain at Transvulcania, staged on the Canary Island of La Palma.

Since its creation in 2009, Transvulcania has become one of the most internationally recognised mountain and trail running events, known for its demanding volcanic terrain and strong global participation.

Photo copyright: Marco Gulberti

The island’s dramatic landscapes — shaped by lava flows, sharp ridgelines and Atlantic exposure — give the race a unique identity and make it a natural opening act for the World Cup long-distance season.

More info: https://transvulcania.com/en/

HIGH-ALPINE LONG DISTANCE IN NORTH AMERICA

Broken Arrow Skyrace — Long

From the Atlantic, the World Cup moves to North America for the Broken Arrow Long race, held in Olympic Valley, Lake Tahoe (USA).

Founded in 2016, Broken Arrow has rapidly established itself as a benchmark alpine event, designed to bring European-style mountain racing to North America while maintaining a strong community focus.

Photo copyright: Marco Gulberti

Set in a high-altitude environment with extensive racing above treeline, the long course demands endurance, technical skill and adaptability to changing mountain conditions.

In 2026, Broken Arrow further underlines its global relevance with a landmark investment in elite competition:

“We’re thrilled to announce that the 2026 Broken Arrow Skyrace will feature the largest prize purse of any trail race in the world — a total of $150,000 across three races, representing a 76.5% increase from our $85,000 purse in 2025. Winners of our flagship Broken Arrow 23k will take home $30,000.”

This commitment aligns closely with the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup’s own evolution, as the circuit introduces discipline-specific prize money for the first time in its history.

The race’s location in Olympic Valley — host of the 1960 Winter Olympic Games — adds further sporting significance, reinforcing Broken Arrow’s position as a flagship long-distance event within the World Cup.

More info: https://www.brokenarrowskyrace.com/

A LEGEND OF THE SPORT

Sierre-Zinal — Long — 52nd edition in 2026

The long-distance calendar continues in Switzerland with Sierre-Zinal, widely regarded as one of the most historic and prestigious mountain races in the world.

First held in 1974, the 2026 edition marks the 52nd running of this iconic event. Set in the Valais Alps and often referred to as “the race of the five 4,000-metre peaks”, Sierre-Zinal combines a fast, runnable profile with sustained climbing.

For generations, Sierre-Zinal has attracted the strongest international fields in mountain running, making it a cornerstone of the World Cup and a direct link to the sport’s deepest competitive heritage.

                                                                   Photo copyright: Marco Gulberti

More info: https://www.sierre-zinal.com/en/homepage.html

ITALIAN ENDURANCE AND MODERN TRADITION

Trofeo Nasego — Long

In early September, the World Cup returns to Italy for Trofeo Nasego, the long-distance race of the Nasego Mountain Running weekend in Casto (Val Sabbia).

Trofeo Nasego complements Vertical Nasego by testing athletes across a longer and more complex course, rewarding endurance, control and tactical awareness.
With a distance of approximately 20.6 km and over 1,300 metres of ascent, the race showcases the demanding terrain of the Italian pre-Alps.

In recent years, Nasego has become a reference venue within the World Cup, offering a rare opportunity to highlight multiple disciplines at the same location.

Photo copyright: Marco Gulberti

More information: https://www.trofeonasegocorsainmontagna.com/en/home-2/

A DECISIVE SEASON FINALE

Maraton Trzech Jezior — World Cup Final Long

The Long Distance discipline concludes in Poland with Maraton Trzech Jezior, host of the World Cup Final — Long Distance.

Set in the Beskids Lakes District, the race combines forested hills, lakeside trails and sustained climbs, creating a demanding and tactical setting for the season’s decisive race.

As the World Cup Final, it places emphasis on consistency across the season, with the long-distance standings determined on Polish soil.

Photo copyright: Trzech Jezior

More information: https://www.maraton3jezior.com/en/

A HISTORIC STEP: CATEGORY PRIZE MONEY

For the first time in its 27-year history, the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup will award dedicated category prize money for each discipline:

• Uphill
• Classic Up & Down
• Long Distance

This marks a major evolution of the World Cup structure, recognising discipline-specific excellence alongside the traditional overall standings.

Category prize money is paid in addition to the overall World Cup awards. Across the full series, total prize money amounts to approximately €250,000, of which €50,000 is allocated by the WMRA to category and final prizes.

The WMRA also maintains its long-standing commitment to clean sport, reinvesting up to 30% of each race’s registration fees into anti-doping controls, ensuring testing at every World Cup event.

A COMPLETE LONG DISTANCE SEASON

From the volcanic terrain of La Palma to the high alpine environment of Lake Tahoe, through the historic Swiss Alps, the Italian pre-Alps and a decisive final in Poland, the Long Distance discipline of the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026 reflects the diversity, depth and global reach of mountain running.

Together, these races form a long-distance circuit that honours the sport’s past while defining its future.

A TRUE 10-OUT-OF-10 SEASON AHEAD

The WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026 is more international, more competitive and more ambitious than ever. With new prize structures, increased visibility and a calendar stretching across oceans and mountains, the 2026 season honours the sport’s heritage while driving it decisively into the future.

IN MOUNTAIN RUNNING WE TRUST.