Arianna Dentis (ITA) and Martin Nilsson (SWE) claimed the first WMRA Mountain Running World Cup victories of their careers at Rollercoaster 21 in Poland on Saturday.
Dentis controlled the women’s race from the early stages before winning by almost four minutes, while Nilsson pulled away during the second half to complete an equally emphatic victory in the men’s event.
The race through the Beskid Mały mountains was the fifth and final long-distance event of the 2026 World Cup, although the overall competition concludes in Canada next month.
Both winners also climbed the overall standings, with Dentis moving into sixth and Nilsson rising from ninth to sixth ahead of the final weekend.
Women’s race – Dentis ends long wait
Dentis wasted little time in taking control of the women’s race.
By the 7km checkpoint, the Italian had established a lead of more than one minute and 40 seconds over Maya Rayle (USA).
Rather than attempting to protect that advantage, Dentis continued to increase it across the repeated climbs and technical descents which give Rollercoaster 21 its name.
She reached the finish at Porąbka stadium in 1:55:03, beating Rayle by 3:49.
The victory rewarded Dentis for an exceptionally busy season in which she raced at the Broken Arrow Ascent and Skyrace, Grossglockner Mountain Run, both Vauban Mountain Trail events, Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego.
Rollercoaster 21 was her eighth World Cup start of the year – and the race at which that persistence finally delivered a maiden victory.
Rayle also enjoyed a memorable afternoon, completing her World Cup debut with second place in 1:58:52.
Céline Aebi (SUI) secured the final podium position in 2:02:04.
Eden O’Dea (GBR) took fourth, with Natalie Beadle (GBR) finishing close behind in fifth.
Rena Schwartz (USA), Selina Burch (SUI) and Sara Willhoit (GBR) filled the next three places, while Izabela Wysluch (POL) gave the home crowd a top-10 finish in ninth.
Alicia Shay-Vargo (USA) completed the women’s top 10.
Men’s race – Nilsson takes control during second half
The men’s race followed a different pattern, with Maciej Lachowski (POL) setting the early pace.
The home runner reached the 7km checkpoint in 31:21, but Nilsson was only 12 seconds behind and ideally placed as the course entered its later sequence of steep climbs and fast descents.
The Swede then made his move during the second half of the race.
Nilsson pulled clear of the leading group and continued to build his advantage on the way to the finish, breaking the tape in 1:38:50.
It completed a breakthrough victory after several strong World Cup performances during the season, including eighth place at Trofeo Nasego.
The closest racing came behind him.
Finlay Grant (GBR) was only sixth at the 7km checkpoint but surged through the field during the second half. His strength on the descents helped carry him into second place, and he finished in 1:41:58 – 3:08 behind Nilsson.
Paul Knight (USA) remained in contention throughout and was just four seconds behind Grant at the finish, taking third in 1:42:02.
Knight arrived in Poland with 28-minute credentials over 10,000m and demonstrated that his track speed could also translate to a demanding course featuring steep climbs and technical descents.
Luca Merli (ITA) finished fourth ahead of Pavol Orolin (SVK), while early leader Lachowski was the first Polish runner home in sixth.
Oscar Subuh-Symons (GBR) placed seventh, followed by Casey Campbell (USA), Andrew Douglas (GBR) and Karol Matyssek (POL).
