Elazzaoui wins in Muju to take a third Golden Trail World Series title by two points

Elhousine Elazzaoui won the Golden Trail World Series grand final in Muju, South Korea, on 25 October, and with it the overall title by two points. It is the Moroccan’s third series crown in a row, and Canadian Running reported that no other athlete has won three.

Elazzaoui, who races for NNormal, covered the wet 28.65 km course, with 2,313 m of climbing, in 2:49:14. Kenya’s Patrick Kipngeno was second in 2:49:58 and his compatriot Timothy Kibett third in 2:50:48, according to Canadian Running. Joey Hadorn was fourth, the series organisers said.

In the women’s race on 24 October, Iceland’s Andrea Kolbeinsdóttir took her first Golden Trail win in 3:19:56. Romania’s Madalina Florea finished second, about six minutes back, and that was enough to keep the overall title she won in 2025.

Third to first in one race

The grand final was worth 300 points to the winner, against 200 at a regular series race, with extra points for the fastest times on timed climb, downhill and sprint segments. Each runner’s best four regular results counted, plus Muju.

That left the men’s title open between three runners. Before the final, Uphill Notes listed Philemon Kiriago on 870 points, Kipngeno on 830 and Elazzaoui on 824.

Kiriago, who had retained his Mountain Running World Cup title in Quebec on 11 October, finished 11th in Muju. Elazzaoui scored 306 points on the day, according to the organisers, to finish on 1,130. Kipngeno ended on 1,128 and Kiriago on 1,075.

Elazzaoui said he “gave it everything” in Muju, according to the organisers and Canadian Running.

Rain, leaves and a fall

The organisers described the course as wet and slippery, with fallen leaves hiding rocks on the first descent. Caroline Kimutai, Florea’s closest rival in the standings, led early and was in front on that first descent, but she fell and was passed by Mexico’s Miriam Morales, the series report said.

Morales finished third in 3:29:12, according to Canadian Running, with Madalina Amariei fourth, 24 seconds behind her. Hanna Gröber withdrew with muscle problems.

Florea went into the final on 872 points, 66 ahead of Kimutai. She finished the season on 1,164, with Kimutai second on 1,016 and Ruth Gitonga third on 982. Florea won three series races in 2026, the Québec Mega Trail, the Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail and Sierre-Zinal, and was second at Ledro Sky Trentino and in Muju.

“It’s the hardest race I’ve ever done. I couldn’t feel my body,” Florea said, quoted by the organisers and by Canadian Running.

Kolbeinsdóttir, who races for Salomon, said she had known before the start that the technical course suited her. “I have to admit, this morning I said to myself: ‘I can win this,’” she said, according to the series report. She added: “Maybe I’ll dedicate next year to the Golden Trail World Series.”

Her win, and fifth place for her teammate Barbora Bukovjan, helped Salomon win the series’ first team ranking.

Elazzaoui said he wanted to return in 2027, when the series marks its tenth anniversary.