The 25th edition of Zegama-Aizkorri lived up to all expectations as Morocco’s Elhousine Elazzaoui defended his men’s title in thrilling style and Sweden’s Tove Alexandersson smashed the women’s course record.
But there was no fairytale return for ultrarunning GOAT Kilian Jornet as the 11-time winner faded out of contention in the second half of the race, though he was hailed throughout on what was home turf.
The iconic mountain marathon packs a staggering 2,736m of elevation into it’s 42.195km as it crosses the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park and the mythical Basque ridgeline and here’s how the races unfolded in what were ideal running conditions…
Men’s elite race
It was Rémi Bonnet, Adrien Briffod, and the legendary Jornet who set the early pace but at the top of the Sanctu Spiritu around 20km in, Bonnet, Daniel Pattis and Elazzaoui were now the top three, with Taylor Stack and Jornet a couple minutes back in fourth and fifth respectively.
On the final climb with just over 10km to go it was down to a duel between Pattis and Elazzaoui.
The long descent to the finish was always going to play to Elazzaoui’s strengths but Pattis kept the pressure on throughout and just 20 seconds separated them on the line.
Elazzaoui took the win in 3:45:07 with Pattis second and Stack rounding out the podium in a distant third in 3:52:17.
Manuel Merillas was fourth, Robert Pkemoi Matayango fifth and Bonnet sixth, with Jornet crossing the line in 43rd.
Women’s elite race
It was close early on in the women’s race but not for long on what was a record-breaking day for Swedish star Alexandersson.
She was the emphatic winner of the Trail World Championships ‘short’ race last year and put on another masterclass here.
Defending champion Sara Alonso stuck with her for the first few kilometres, with Judith Wyder in third but when the gradients pitched upwards, Alexandersson powered clear.
At the top of Sanctu Spiritu just before halfway she was eight minutes clear of Alonso in second.
It was a double-digit lead by 30km, with Malen Osa by now having overtaken Alonso for second.
And that was how it stayed, Alexandersson taking the victory in a new course best of 4:08:09, collapsing after crossing the line after a monumental effort.
Osa was second in 4:23:56, just under two minutes ahead of Alonso.
Ida Amelie Robsahm was fourth and Maria Fuentes fifth.
Zegama-Aizkorri results
Sunday 17 May 2026, 42km
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