The wait is over. The Golden Trail World Series has revealed its trail running calendar for 2024. New on the race calendar are two races in Asia, one in Poland and one in the United States. Zegama-Aizkorri, the most legendary race of all, is back on the calendar as well.
The big eye catchers on the 2024 calendar are the Kobe Trail in Japan and the Four Sisters Mountain Trail in China. “There are increasing numbers of Asian competitors and trail running is becoming more and more popular in Asia”, explains Grégory Vollet, director of the Golden Trail World Series.
Start in Japan
The Kobe womens Trail kicks off the Golden Trail Series on April 20, 2024. The race in Kobe is 21 kilometres long and has 1.615 metres of altitude. A day later it’s the men’s turn.
After Japan it’s China’s turn, with the Four Girls Mountain Trail in Sichuan on the 27th of April. This race is also 21 kilometres and has 1.423 of altitude.
Both races are on purpose scheduled close together. Vollet: “We want to limit the need for intercontinental travel. Thanks to the extra races, each athlete, whether European, Asian or American, will only need to take one intercontinental flight in a bid to qualify for the final. And by grouping two races we make a trip cost-effective.”
Europe
After Asia the circuit moves to Europe, starting off with Zegama-Aizkorri (42km/2.736m) on May 26th in Spain, followed by the Marathon du Mont-Blanc (42km/2.540m) in Chamonix, Switzerland, on June 30th.
In August there are two races in a row again. First, on the 10th of August, Sierre-Zinal (31km/2.200m) in Sierre, Switzerland. After that it’s time for the first ever Golden Trail World Series race in Poland; the Tatra Sky Marathon. That race will be on the 17th of August in Kościelisko. The Polish race is 28 kilometres long, with 1.770 metres of altitude.
United States
The 14th and 15th of September it’s time for the first race in the United States; Headlands (28km/1.304m). The women race first in Marin County, the men follow a day later.
A week later, on the 22nd of September, the athletes face of at the Mammoth Trail Fest (26km/1.250m) in Mammoth Lakes.
The final will take place from the 17th to the 20th of October. Where, is still a secret.
Getting to the final
The overall ranking is made up, based on the four best results, which is new as well. This used to be three. The best 30 top male and female athletes are going to the final. “We increased the number of races this season to include Asia”, explains Vollet. “So, it was necessary to increase the number of races that count towards the overall ranking to avoid diluting the level too much during the year.
The GTWS 2024 programme
- 20th April: Kobe Trail – Women’s race – 21km/1,615m V+ – Kobe, Japan
- 21st April: Kobe Trail – Men’s race – 21km/1,615m V+ – Kobe, Japan
- 27th April: Four Girls Mountain Trail – 21km/1,423 m V+ – Sichuan, China
- 26th May: Zegama-Aizkorri – 42km/2,736 m V+ – Zegama, Spain
- 30th June: Marathon du Mont-Blanc – 42km/2,540 m V+ – Chamonix, France
- 10th August: Sierre-Zinal – 31km/2,200 m V+ – Sierre, Switzerland
- 17th August: Tatra Sky Marathon – 28km/1,770 m V+ – Kościelisko, Poland
- 14th September: Headlands – Women’s race – 28km/1,304 m V+ – Marin County, USA
- 15th September: Headlands – Men’s race – 28km/1,304 m V+ – Marin County, USA
- 22nd September: Mammoth Trail Fest – 26km/1,250m V+ – Mammoth Lakes, USA
- 17th to 20th October: Grand Final.
Photo: The adventure bakery
