Elhousine Elazzaoui claimed a third consecutive Golden Trail World Series title by just two points after winning a dramatic Grand Finale in South Korea.
The Moroccan arrived at Muju Trail third in the standings but delivered the victory he needed on a rain-soaked course, holding off a remarkable late charge from Patrick Kipngeno to secure both the race win and the overall crown.
There was a successful title defence for Madalina Florea too, with second place in Saturday’s women’s race sealing her second consecutive series triumph as Iceland’s Andrea Kolbeinsdóttir celebrated a breakthrough victory.
The 28.65km course featured 2,313 metres of climbing, with steep ascents, slippery rocks and technical descents providing a formidable final examination of the world’s best.
Men’s race – Elazzaoui’s gamble pays off
Just 46 points separated series leader Philemon Kiriago, Kipngeno and Elazzaoui heading into Sunday’s decider, where victory was worth 300 points compared with the usual 200, with further bonuses available across three timed segments.
Elazzaoui approached it with a simple message written on his hands: “To be or not to be”.
“Today I gave it everything. I knew I was taking risks, but I told myself, ‘If something happens, it happens.’ I even wrote ‘To be or not to be’ on my hands to remind myself that today was all or nothing,” he explained afterwards to the race’s official media channels.
Kiriago initially took the initiative, but it was Elazzaoui who made the decisive early attack on the high ground towards Hyangjeokbong.
By around 6.5km, the defending champion had built an advantage of approximately a minute over the chasing group, with his two title rivals already more than 90 seconds behind.
The wet, technical descent towards Baengnyeonsa Temple offered further opportunities to stretch the field. Elazzaoui collected two bonus points for fifth place on the downhill segment – a contribution that would take on particular significance in the final reckoning.
Behind him, Kiriago’s challenge was unravelling. He slipped to 10th by nine kilometres and later dropped to 15th, more than 12 minutes off the lead.
Elazzaoui, meanwhile, extended his advantage to more than five minutes on the second major climb as Taylor Stack, Alain Santamaría and Joey Hadorn fought for the chasing positions.
But the final ascent transformed the battle behind him.
Kipngeno, who had briefly stopped early in the race, reached the foot of the climb around two minutes behind the podium contenders. By the summit, he had surged past them into second place.
Timothy Kibett was also moving through the field, passing Stack and Santamaría before targeting Hadorn.
Elazzaoui held on through the final descent to win in 2:49:14, with Kipngeno closing to within 44 seconds at the finish. Kibett completed the podium, ahead of Hadorn and Santamaría.
Kiriago recovered to finish 11th but dropped to third in the overall standings. Elazzaoui’s fourth victory of the season, together with six segment bonus points in Muju, lifted him to 1,130 points – just two ahead of Kipngeno.
“Winning three Golden Trail World Series titles is a record. For me, it’s really historic. I’m so happy, it’s difficult to find the words,” said Elazzaoui.
Women’s race – Kolbeinsdóttir breaks through as Florea celebrates
Saturday’s women’s race produced a new GTWS winner, while Florea completed a season in which she finished first or second in every race she contested.
Caroline Kimutai, her closest challenger in the standings, set the early pace and led the Romanian by 24 seconds on the high ground around Hyangjeokbong.
But the first steep descent changed the race. Florea caught and passed Kimutai, while fellow Romanian Madalina Amariei moved into second.
Kolbeinsdóttir was also making ground, using her strength on technical terrain to catch Kimutai before closing on Florea during the next climb. The Icelander edged ahead near the summit, with the pair starting the second descent together.
Falls added to the drama. Kimutai went down and lost further places, while Kolbeinsdóttir also fell but still reached 17km with a 35-second lead over Florea.
Behind them, Hanna Groeber withdrew with muscular problems on her return following the wrist fracture she suffered at the Great Wall race in China.
Florea fought back to regain the lead before the final major climb towards Chilbong, setting up a decisive contest on gradients that exceeded 40% in places.
This time Kolbeinsdóttir broke clear for good. She reached the summit almost three minutes ahead and continued to extend that advantage on the final descent, winning in 3:19:56.
Florea crossed the line 5:50 later, celebrating her second overall title by rolling in the puddles.
Mexico’s Miriam Morales Hernández held off Amariei to complete the race podium, with Barbora Bukovjan fifth.
For Kolbeinsdóttir, victory completed a journey that began when she earned a Golden Ticket to the finale through the Golden Trail National Championships in Australia. Fifth place at Ledro earlier in the season had hinted at what might follow.
“I have to admit, this morning I said to myself: ‘I can win this.’ I felt so positive and really believed in myself. It’s a course that suits me very well. I’m good on technical terrain,” she said.
Having previously considered moving up in distance, she added: “Maybe I’ll dedicate next year to the Golden Trail World Series.”
Florea finished the season on 1,164 points, ahead of Kimutai on 1,016 and Ruth Mwihaki Gitonga on 982.
“Every race I’ve competed in this year has helped me win this trophy,” said the champion, whose three victories and two runner-up finishes secured another crown.
As for the finale itself: “It’s the hardest race I’ve ever done. I couldn’t feel my body.”
Muju Trail Grand Finale results
Men – Sunday 25 October 2026
| Position | Athlete | Nationality | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elhousine Elazzaoui | MAR | 2:49:14 |
| 2 | Patrick Kipngeno | KEN | 2:49:58 |
| 3 | Timothy Kibett | KEN | 2:50:48 |
| 4 | Joey Hadorn | SUI | 2:52:22 |
| 5 | Alain Santamaría | ESP | 2:54:00 |
Women – Saturday 24 October 2026
| Position | Athlete | Nationality | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andrea Kolbeinsdóttir | ISL | 3:19:56 |
| 2 | Madalina Florea | ROU | 3:25:46 |
| 3 | Miriam Morales Hernández | MEX | 3:29:12 |
| 4 | Madalina Amariei | ROU | 3:29:35 |
| 5 | Barbora Bukovjan | CZE | 3:29:54 |
Golden Trail World Series final standings
Men
| Position | Athlete | Nationality | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elhousine Elazzaoui | MAR | 1,130 |
| 2 | Patrick Kipngeno | KEN | 1,128 |
| 3 | Philemon Kiriago | KEN | 1,075 |
| 4 | Michael Selelo Saoli | KEN | 968 |
| 5 | Timothy Kibett | KEN | 922 |
Women
| Position | Athlete | Nationality | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Madalina Florea | ROU | 1,164 |
| 2 | Caroline Kimutai | KEN | 1,016 |
| 3 | Ruth Mwihaki Gitonga | KEN | 982 |
| 4 | Barbora Bukovjan | CZE | 974 |
| 5 | Marie Nivet | FRA | 892 |
