After a short pause in the 2026 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup, the series returned in spectacular fashion at the Broken Arrow Ascent, delivering two of the closest contests of the season so far. The depth and quality of the fields promised high-calibre racing, but few could have anticipated just how close both races would be.

The 5.8km course packs 865m of vertical gain into a relentless climb, offering only fleeting moments of respite on short flatter and slightly downhill sections. The challenge builds towards a brutal finale, where runners tackle a technical upper section before confronting the iconic “Stairway to Heaven” ladder. In the days leading up to the race, much attention had focused on the ladder’s recent replacement. As events unfolded, that feature would prove to be far more than a talking point - playing a decisive role in the outcome of the women’s race.

The 2026 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup moves to Beijing Changping, China, this weekend for one of the most spectacular stops of the season, with two races set beneath the Great Wall and across the mountain trails of the Yanshan range. Following the season opener in Portugal, the circuit now heads to Asia for the second and third races of the campaign, where the World’s top mountain running athletes will face two incredibly unique race courses on the 25 and 26 April.

After an unforgettable 2025 season — taking the World Cup across three continents, through eight different countries and over fifteen exhilarating races — preparations are already underway for the next global mountain-running adventure. Registration for races wishing to be part of the 2026 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup is now open and will remain available until 21 November.