CanfrancPirineos 2025 World Mountain & Trail Running Championship Courses Set to Amaze Athletes
The countdown continues for the third edition of the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships, set to take place in CanfrancPirineos (Spain) from September 24 to 28. With preliminary registrations now closed, organizers have confirmed that the event will see the highest participation in its history, with over 1,700 athletes representing nearly 80 countries. As spring brings and the thaw to the Pyrenean peaks, the championship's technical team is hard at work finalizing courses that are expected to astonish the competitors.
Alex Varela, Director of CanfrancPirineos 2025, is confident that the unique features of the Aragonese Pyrenees will make this World Championship “a different and surprising competition.” According to Varela, “Athletes competing in CanfrancPirineos will face a spectacular, highly vertical mountain. The courses are extremely technical and will push competitors to their limits, while also offering a truly rewarding mountain running experience.”
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A Championships Years in the Making
Canfranc brings nearly two decades of trail racing experience to the table, having hosted the renowned Canfranc-Canfranc event for 19 years. The event packs six races—Uphill 4K, Classic 16K, Long Distance 26K, Marathon 45K, Ultra 70K, and Ultra 100K—into just three days, and is a true logistical, human, and sporting challenge, accommodating over 1,500 athletes and 400 volunteers. Hosting the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships is the culmination of years of dedication to mountain sport and event organization, which has also played a key role in diversifying the town’s economy and tourism offerings.
Raúl Chapado, President of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, emphasizes this broader impact. “Beyond the sporting dimension, this event will leave a lasting legacy: it will boost the development of our disciplines, promote sustainable tourism in mountain regions, and further establish Spain as an international benchmark in hosting major competitions under principles of environmental responsibility and regional cohesion,” he said.
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Five World Titles, One Iconic Setting
The CanfrancPirineos 2025 WMTRC is organized under the coordination of World Athletics, and the Organizing Partners the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA), the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU), plus the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA).
The competition will feature five events: 'Uphill', 'Classic', 'U20 Classic' 'ShortTrail' and 'LongTrail'. For the first time in history, Spain and the Pyrenees—Europe’s second-largest mountain range—will host this premier global event in the small town of Canfranc, internationally known for its iconic International Railway Station, which is approaching its centenary.
“This will be a global celebration of sport, nature, and personal achievement,” said Raúl Chapado. “We are confident that CanfrancPirineos will deliver an unforgettable experience, thanks to the extraordinary efforts of the organizing team, the volunteers, and institutional support.”
A True Test in the Mountains
Carlos García, from the Organizing Partnership has worked closely with Alex Varela in designing the five championship race courses. “Canfranc’s hard topography is remarkable. The ascents and descents are steep but safe, making course reconnaissance more important than ever, as race strategy could be decisive for a strong finish.” García noted.
An expert on the Canfranc mountains, García provided insight into the challenges awaiting the athletes. “The terrain is incredibly varied—open pastures, loose rocks, mud, roots, forest trails, and mountain roads,” he explained. García also warned runners, “Perhaps the biggest danger is trying to enjoy the view without slowing down. Canfranc’s terrain demands constant attention. It’s just technical enough to be fun, without becoming overly risky.”
On behalf of organising committee
Jacek Bedkowski
IAU Director of Communication
