Francesco Puppi wins the Grand Trail des Templiers, and Martyna Młynarczyk breaks the women’s record
The Italian attacked on the last two climbs above Millau to win by seven minutes, one second outside the course record. Poland’s Młynarczyk led from the 8 km mark and finished in 7:41:18.
Francesco Puppi of Italy won the Grand Trail des Templiers in Millau, southern France, on 18 October, finishing the 80 km race in 6 hours 32 minutes 20 seconds. Poland’s Martyna Młynarczyk won the women’s race in 7:41:18, a course record.
Puppi was 7 minutes 7 seconds ahead of France’s Dimitri Morel-Jean, who had led for much of the day. According to iRunFar, Puppi’s time was one second outside the course record set by Britain’s Jonathan Albon in 2021.
Młynarczyk was 5 minutes 4 seconds clear of Alexandra Cassan-Ferrier of France. Her time beat the previous record of 7:42:24, set by New Zealand’s Caitlin Fielder in 2024, by 66 seconds.
A late move on the climbs
The Grand Trail is the main race of the Festival des Templiers, which drew about 13,000 participants across three days. The race starts and finishes in Millau and is a single loop with about 3,400 m of climbing. Reports give the distance as 80.4 km (iRunFar) and 80.7 km (Millavois.com). The leaders set off at 5.10 local time, in the dark.
The men’s lead group stayed together until Peyreleau, at about 22 km, Millavois.com reported. Morel-Jean then went to the front and stayed there for some 40 km. When the race came back through Massebiau at 69 km, he was only 28 seconds ahead of Puppi.
Puppi attacked on the climb to Le Cade, one of two steep ascents in the last 11 km, and was more than five minutes clear at the top. He added to the gap on the final climb, the Pouncho d’Agast, before the descent into Millau.
Benjamin Roubiol held on for third, 11 minutes 49 seconds behind the winner, under late pressure from Pierre Galbourdin, who finished 51 seconds behind him. Tracen Knopp of the United States was fifth.
Puppi has had a strong season over longer distances. iRunFar noted that he won the Chianti 120k earlier in 2026 and was second at the Western States 100 in June.
Młynarczyk leads from the start
The women’s race lost two of its favourites before it began properly. Fielder, who was seeking a third straight title, withdrew at the last minute, according to iRunFar. Switzerland’s Judith Wyder dropped out at Peyreleau, Millavois.com reported.
Młynarczyk took the lead at Carbassas, around 8 km into the race, and never lost it. Cassan-Ferrier, a former triathlete who is relatively new to trail racing, ran in second from about 36 km and closed some of the gap in the final kilometres. Młynarczyk was 40th overall.
It was a turnaround for the Polish runner. She did not finish the Western States 100 in June after an injury earlier in the season, iRunFar reported.
Prize money
The Grand Trail pays the top 10 men and women. According to iRunFar, the winners receive €10,000, second place €4,000 and third €3,000, from a total festival purse of about €69,000.
The race was held for the 32nd time, iRunFar reported.
