Golden Trail World Series (GTWS)

Launched in 2018 by the brand Salomon, the Golden Trail World Series circuit was designed to give global visibility to a rapidly growing discipline: trail running. The idea is simple yet ambitious: bring together the most legendary mountain races, invite the best international athletes, and create a championship over the year! The GTWS offers a season that unfolds step by step, with an overall ranking and a grand finale that determines the champions of the year 🏆.

The world's most legendary races 🤩

The choice of events is one of the biggest highlights of this championship. Each season, a select number of races are chosen: the legendary Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland 💣 with its 31 km and 2,133m D+, the daunting Zegama-Aizkorri in Spain 🔥 and its 42 km with 2,736 meters of positive elevation, or the Mont-Blanc Marathon in France ⛰️. These courses are nothing like ultra-trails; they range from 20 to 42 km but are not chosen at random: they are technical, with impressive elevation and above all, unique scenery 🌏. The atmosphere is equally important: some segments, like the Zegama climb, draw crowds comparable to those on the Tour de France mountain passes 🔊. These races are no longer just sporting events; they are gatherings worthy of a Beyoncé concert! 💃

Photo Credit: Zegama-Aizkorri

A finale dedicated to champions 🎽

The Grand Finale changes venue each year: Madeira, the Azores, Nepal or even Italy have hosted this event 👏. The final event sometimes takes the shape of a single race, allowing for many twists and turns. The goal is twofold: offer a challenging terrain to differentiate the best and highlight a dream destination. Given the international media coverage, this finale serves as a showcase for trail running! 🎥 Runners selected to participate will be supported by the GTWS (travel, accommodation, food).

So how does the ranking work?

The circuit operates on a points system: in each race, the top 60 score points (1st = 200 pts, 60th = 2 pts) 😌. Only the three best performances of an athlete are considered for the overall ranking, meaning even if an athlete competes in 7 of the 8 proposed races, only their top 3 results will count at the end of the season 🧠. This rule promotes consistency while preventing overcrowded schedules for participants. At the end of the year, the top 30 men and women in the ranking earn their ticket to the Grand Finale, which counts double 🎫, allowing athletes to score more points (1st = 200 pts, 60th = 3 pts). But before that, athletes must tackle the prologue event, which also allows scoring points in the ranking (1st = 100 pts, 60th = 1 pt). That's where titles are won, and surprises can happen 🧨.

Photo Credit: Sierre-Zinal

And for amateurs? 🏃‍♀️

Unlike other elite championships, the GTWS is not reserved for professionals, but you still have to prove yourself to participate 🦵. Most of the calendar races are public events: any runner can register (often via a draw, as spots are very limited) 🔒. This means amateurs share the same course, on the same day, as world stars. Of course, only athletes capable of entering the top 30 score points, but if you're a passionate runner, the experience of running alongside the best is unique ☺️. The Golden Trail World Series are held in various countries worldwide, providing a gateway for local talents to secure a spot in the world final 🗺️.

National circuits: a gateway to the elite 🚀

Parallel to the world circuit, the Golden Trail National Series 📍 allows local runners to compete on prestigious courses without traveling across the globe. Each country or region (France, Spain, Italy, United States, Japan, Mexico, etc.) has its own mini-championship, with a calendar of 3 to 5 races and a national final 📅. The best in these circuits earn their place for the world Grand Finale, where they face the international elite, but to do so, they must achieve a top 3 finish in the national championships 📈.

Photo Credit: Golden Trail Series

Modern and accessible media coverage 📽️

One of the major assets of the Golden Trail World Series is its media coverage 📲. The races are filmed live, with drones and onboard cameras, allowing the action to be streamed worldwide 🛬. Documentaries and athlete profiles complement the coverage 🎤, transforming athletes unknown to the general public into trail champions. The circuit also highlights diversity, valuing both women and men! More than just a competition, the GTWS is a real advertisement for the trail running world, professionalizing it and helping athletes make a living from it 🙌.