The weather again played a part but all seven races took place in HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB, the European Major.
More than 6,000 runners from 83 countries gathered in Val d’Aran and the headline winners of this fifth edition included Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon and Laura Van Vooren in the VDA; Baptiste Coatantiec and Mari Klakegg Fenre in the CDH and Nadir Maguet and Miao Yao in the PDA.
The weather played a significant role, forcing route changes across all distances to ensure the safety of participants, volunteers, support staff, and spectators.
Here’s how the feature races unfolded…
Miao Yao the class act
After 52 km and 2,950m of elevation gain, shortened due to storms, Italy’s Nadir Maguet was the first to cross the finish line in the PDA in Vielha with a time of 4:52:06.
Romania’s Leonard Mitrica followed in 5:00:16, and Pablo Bautista, winner of the 32 km EXP in 2023 and 2024, took third in 5:05:19.
In the women’s race, China’s Miao Yao, ranked 10th in the world and a CCC and OCC winner at UTMB, was the fastest, completing the course in 5:31:39 despite admitting she didn’t feel at her best.
“I was very tired. The downhills were really tough,” she said afterwards.
Norway’s Sylvia Nordskar came second in 5:36:29, and Spain’s Ikram Rharsalla took third in 5:47:02.
Mari Klakegg Fenre stands out
Following the PDA, the CDH, which featured 1,256 runners, was adjusted from its original 110 km with 6,400m of elevation to 103 km with 5,775m.
France’s Baptiste Coatantiec won in 10:53:36. Manuel Anguita came second in 10:57:16, and Oriol Barbany surprised with third place in 11:13:12.
In the women’s race, Norway’s Mari Klakegg Fenre dominated, finishing 15th overall in 12:31:45. Navarre’s Amaia Razkin Medrano was second in 14:12:08, and Elodie Pierre finished third in 14:24:05.
Delight for Joyeux-Bouillon and Van Vooren
At last, the VDA, the event’s flagship race, was held after two years of cancellations due to storms.
The course was altered due to weather forecasts, reduced from 163 km and 10,000m+ to 142 km and 7,250m+.
France’s Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon rang the bell in 16:25:48, becoming the third-ever VDA champion. Argentina’s Santos Gabriel Rueda was runner-up in 16:53:56, and Arnau Seguà came third in 17:13:03.
Laura Van Vooren won the women’s race in 20:26:37, followed by China’s Yuanyuan Wu (20:38:22) and Romania’s Anva Cinde (22:11:23).
