Prize money announced for 2025 Mountain Running World Cup
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Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 29.04.25. | 16:29
The World Cup breaks new ground this year, making its debut in Chongli, China, with two back-to-back races on Saturday, 5 and Sunday, 6 July
World’s best mountain runners, led by Patrick Kipngeno and Joyce Muthoni Njeru among other Kenyans, will take on some of the most breathtaking and demanding courses on the planet as the 26th edition of the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup kicks off, featuring 15 thrilling races across eight countries and three continents.
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This season offers the perfect mix of iconic events, like Sierre-Zinal and Trofeo Nasego, alongside exciting new additions such as Zmeu Xfest in Romania, Chongli in China, and the Vauban Mountain Trail in France.
Action opens on Sunday, 4 May in Câmpulung Moldovenesc, Romania, with the Zmeu Xfest. Nestled in the breathtaking Carpathian Mountains, this region—home to over 1,000 mountain trails and UNESCO heritage sites—will provide the perfect backdrop for the season’s first classic mountain race.
Kipngeno heads to the Cup in great form as he is leading the Golden Trail Series.
"He's simply unstoppable this season. Just like last year, Patrick Kipngeno dominated the Asian road trip, winning both races in Japan and China.
An incredible performance from the Kenyan, who now pulls ahead of his main rivals in the overall standings. Could he be the one to take the overall title in 2025 (sic)," Trail Series organisers wrote on Instagram.
Later in the month, the action moves to Casto, Italy, where runners will tackle two iconic events: Vertical Nasego (24 May) and Trofeo Nasego (25 May).
Located in the rugged Brescia Prealps, these races are a staple in the mountain running world, testing both speed and endurance on some of Italy’s most demanding terrain.
In Poland, the World Cup celebrates a century of mountain running with the Tatra Fest in Zakopane on Sunday, 15 June. Paying tribute to the historic Tatra March of 1925, this race takes runners on a spectacular 25km route through the stunning Tatra Mountains.
The World Cup breaks new ground this year, making its debut in Chongli, China, with two back-to-back races on Saturday, 5 and Sunday, 6 July.
Located in Zhangjiakou City, Hebei Province, this region, famous for hosting the 2022 Winter Olympics, boasts pristine mountain landscapes, making it an ideal venue for this exciting new addition.
Next, the circuit heads to France for the Vauban Mountain Trail in Briançon on Saturday, 19 and Sunday, 20 July. As Europe’s highest city, Briançon offers breathtaking views of the Ecrins National Park, with races climbing up to 2400m in altitude, pushing runners to their limits.
The month wraps up in Premana, Italy, with the legendary Giir di Mont. The action begins on Saturday, 26 July, with an uphill race that doubles as the Italian Championship, followed by a grueling 32km race on Sunday, 27 July.
This event is known for its steep ascents, electrifying crowds, and deep connection to Italy’s mountain running tradition.
August kicks off with one of the most prestigious races in mountain running: Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland on Saturday, 9 August.
Nicknamed the “Race of the Five 4000s”, this event attracts the world’s best athletes, who take on a 31km course with over 2200m of elevation gain against a backdrop of towering Alpine peaks.
The 2025 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup reaches its thrilling conclusion in Slovenia, where champions will be crowned after two days of intense competition.
The battle kicks off on Saturday, 23 August, with the Uphill Final at Velika Planina in Kamnik.
This legendary course, used in the 2010 World Mountain Running Championships and the 2017 European Off-Road Championships, will once again test the world’s best.
It is also set to host the 2026 European Off-Road Running Championships, adding to its rich legacy.
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The season wraps up on Sunday, 24 August, with the Classic distance event at Šmarna Gora.
Enhanced travel support and a prize pool have been introduced for 2025, with the overall World Cup champions set to receive €5000 (Approximately Ksh735,000).
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