Sierre-Zinal is one of trail running’s most legendary races, set against the stunning Swiss Alps. On Saturday, Kenya’s Philemon Kiriago claimed his third win and second in a row on the iconic course, while Romania’s Mădălina Florea upset the women’s defending champ, Kenya’s Caroline Kimutai, to prevent a Kenyan double for the second straight year.
Ascent and Descent
While Kiriago repeated his win, the sun also returned, with temperatures starting warm and soaring into the mid-30s Celsius during the race. Runners faced hot conditions once again as they set off to tackle the brutal opening climb, more than 1,300 metres of gain in the first eight km, before the course heads through the high Alps and plunges toward the finish in Zinal.
In all, the race covers 31 km, with 2,200 metres of climbing and 1,100 metres of descent, and five 4,000-metre peaks frame the action.
Déjà vu in the men’s race
After the treacherous opening climb, Great Britain’s Jacob Adkin led the men, and though he maintained his lead for the next four kilometres, the lead pack remained mere seconds behind and would make their move just after the halfway point. Kiragio and last year’s runner-up Patrick Kipngeno of Kenya pulled away, but the battle for third was just beginning. Third to sixth were separated by less than two minutes at the finish and would exchange positions until the final kilometres.
By the time the men crossed the finish line, the podium was identical to 2025, featuring a full Kenyan sweep: Kiriago successfully defended his title in 2:26:24, Kipngeno claimed silver after clocking 2:26:56, and their Kenyan compatriot Michael Selelo Saoli took third in 2:29:36.
Men’s results
1. Kiriago (Kenya) – 2:26:24
2. Kipngeno (Kenya) – 2:26:56
3. Selelo Saoli (Kenya) – 2:29:36
4. Adkin (U.K.) – 2:30:49
5. Timothy Kibett (Kenya) – 2:30:58
6. Christian Allen (U.S.) – 2:31:13
7. Paul Machoka (Kenya) – 2:31:55
8. Jonathan Castillo (Columbia) – 2:31:58
9. Richard Omaya Atuya (Kenya) – 2:32:04
10. Brayan Rodríguez (México) – 2:32:30
Philibert-Thiboutot Charles was the top Canadian finisher, clocking 2:59:05 for 99th.
Women’s race shake-up
Florea won the inaugural QMT GTWS 30 in July and carried that right into Sierre-Zinal, earning another Golden Trail World Series victory in 2:55:46. She took her first win in the event over defending champion Kimutai, who was awarded the 2025 title after compatriot Joyline Chepngeno was suspended for doping a few weeks after originally claiming the top spot.
Kimutai finished second in 2:56:31, also settling for silver behind Florea at QMT. Great Britain’s Morven Goodrum rounded out the podium in 2:57:15.
In a competitive race, the Netherlands’ Nienke Brinkman appeared to encounter an issue with her support team at the Weisshorn Hotel refuge around the 20-kilometre mark. She was running just behind Florea at the time, but appeared to have no hydration or fuel ready as she prepared to tackle the final 11 kilometres. The delay cost her valuable time, and she ultimately finished fifth in 2:58:55.
Women’s results
1. Florea (Romania) – 2:55:46
2. Kimutai (Kenya) – 2:56:31
3. Goodrum (U.K.) – 2:57:15
4. Oria Liaci (Switzerland) – 2:58:38
5. Brinkman (The Netherlands) – 2:58:55
6. Anna Gibson (U.S.) – 2:59:22
7. Ruth Gitonga (Kenya) – 3:00:11
8. Hanna Gröber (Germany) – 3:02:03
9. Miriam Chepkirui (Kenya) – 3:02:12
10. Laura Hottenrott (Germany) – 3:03:32
Élisa Morin was the top Canadian finisher, clocking 3:10:34 for 19th.
For full results, go here.