WMTRC 2025: The Rise of a United Front in Trail Running

by geoff russell, autra vice president & traq president

For Team Australia, it was a week of grit, teamwork, and pride. Competing on rugged Pyrenean terrain, where steep climbs and thin air pushed every athlete to their limit, our runners showed that heart and unity can bridge any altitude gap.

Despite training worlds away from these alpine landscapes, Australia finished 11th out of 73 nations — an incredible achievement that reflects not just athletic performance, but the collective effort of an entire team working together on the global stage and how much we are growing as a trail running nation.

The Races: Four Days of Courage and Grit

Day 1 – Vertical Uphill (6.4 km | +990 m)

The opening day was all about pure ascent. Michael Kernahan (54^th, 0:44:52) and Lara Hamilton (42^nd, 0:52:55) led the charge with strong performances in brutal vertical terrain. Our other runners were Nathan Pearce in 63^rd, Fraser Darcy in 78^th, and Iain Best in 98^th. In the ladies’ race Jessica Ronan was not far behind Lara in 56^th, with Emily Bartlett in 88^th. Emily features in one of the most iconic photos of the WMTRC showing her running through the Australian team and supporters near the top of the mountain.

Day 2 – Short Trail (45 km | +3657 m)

A technical, lung-burning route that tested endurance and skill. The men’s team of Blake Turner, Vlad Ixel, and Billy Curtis powered through relentless climbs, while the women’s team Sarah-Jayne Miller, Patricia McKibbin and Jess Jason all finished in just over seven hours with less than 20 minutes between the 3 of them — an outstanding display of perseverance.

Day 3 – Long Trail (82 km | +5434 m)

The longest and most gruelling test of the championship crossed into France and back, demanding over 10 hours of focus and resolve. Ben Burgess placed 49th in 10:26:53, followed closely by Andrew Gaskell and Matthew Crehan, who finished together which was a true testament to the camaraderie that defined this team. In the ladies’ race Nicole Paton and Cecelia Mattas finished a minute apart, with team captain Kellie Angel just behind them.

Day 4 – Classic and U20 Races

The final day brought the next generation to the spotlight. U20 athlete Alec Franzke (29th, 0:37:18) impressed in a competitive men’s field.

The Classic Women’s team delivered a gutsy and determined performance on a challenging course, with Jessica and Emily pushing hard through tough conditions before the Classic Men’s race rounded out the championships in incredible style. Nathan, Michael, and Fraser all finishing within just two minutes of each other and comfortably inside the top 70. Their consistency and depth made this the standout team result of the entire event, marking the best collective performance by an Australian team at a WMTRC to date. A phenomenal finish that showcased the strength, strategy, and spirit of the Aussie men’s squad.

Team Highlights

✅ Multiple Top 50 finishes across distances and divisions
✅ Consistent results across all events with 17 of our 30 runners finishing in the Top 50% of finishers in their races
✅ 11th overall in the world (out of 73 countries) — our best yet
✅ Unwavering team spirit in the face of altitude and logistics

A huge shout-out to Team Leader Aaron Knight and Team Manager Simone Hayes, who steered the group through a challenging championship with composure and care. From managing travel between Canfranc and Jaca to ensuring every runner had what they needed, their leadership kept the team focused and united.

And, of course, to the families, friends, and supporters cheering from every corner of the globe — your energy, messages, and encouragement were felt every step of the way. 💚💛

More Than a Race

On the event itself it was great to see our world peak bodies unite to deliver the Championships. World Athletics, ITRA, WMRA and IAU joined forces for an amazing championship.

The WMTRC is the rare occasion when athletes from rival brands and disciplines come together under one flag. In Canfranc, that unity was palpable. With the early races held on high mountains up chairlifts, to remote valleys far from major cities, most of the cheers came from teammates — runners swapping their bibs for cowbells to lift each other up the climbs. By the weekend, as more fans made the journey, the atmosphere was electric, culminating in the final day where the hills echoed with noise.

Behind the scenes, the logistical hurdles were immense. A small mountain village like Canfranc simply can’t accommodate the flood of athletes, coaches, and officials. Many teams, including ours, stayed in nearby Jaca — but that never dimmed the sense of togetherness. Instead, it reinforced what makes trail running unique: a global community driven by respect, passion, and shared struggle.

In Canfranc, athletes from over 70 nations shared the trails, the climbs, and the fatigue. They pushed one another not just to win, but to discover what they were capable of. Every handshake at the finish line, every flag draped over tired shoulders, and every cheer from one team to another spoke to the same truth: this is bigger than any single country or result.

The WMTRC represents a new kind of global running culture — one that values connection as much as competition.

The Evolution of a Global Championship

It’s remarkable how far this event has come in such a short time. When the previously separate mountain and trail championships merged in 2021 — uniting the WMRA, ITRA, and IAU under the guidance of World Athletics — it marked the beginning of a new era.

Since then, each edition has refined the formula, balancing the technical demands of mountain running with the endurance challenges of long-distance trail racing. It’s a bold collaboration that continues to grow the sport’s visibility and prestige.

The dream? Perhaps one day, to see trail running included in the 2032 Olympic Games. And there is more to come on that front with some powerful brands now behind the movement for this to happen. I attended a number of high-level meetings with all the peak bodies to discuss the way forward, and we now know what is required to try and make the dream a reality.

While the road ahead is still being paved — with ongoing tweaks to scoring systems, course formats, and media coverage — the direction is unmistakable. The WMTRC has become a showcase for what’s possible when passion meets partnership on a global scale.

Looking Ahead

As the dust settles on Spain’s Pyrenean peaks, Team Australia returns home proud and inspired. The performances, friendships, and memories forged in Canfranc will carry forward into every training run and race ahead.

Next stop: APTRC 2026 in China in November 2026, before the next WMTRC 2027 in South Africa in October 2027. New continents, new mountains, and more opportunities for this global family of runners to rise together.

Because in the end, the APTRC and WMTRC isn’t just about running.
It’s about unity, perseverance, and the shared joy of climbing higher — one stride at a time.