TrailRunAdvisor Presents the Crystal Peak Prize
Celebrating Trail Running's Top Athletes of 2024 🏆
Trail running continues to conquer hearts and mountains, and 2024 has been an impressive year for the sport. TrailRunAdvisor is proud to present the Crystal Peak Prize, an award honoring the best trail running athletes of the year.
Key Data
Categories:
The awards were divided into two exciting categories:
-Short/Medium distances and Skyrunning: Up to marathon.
-Long and Ultra Distances: Beyond the marathon.
Awards:
Awards were given to the Best Male and Female Athlete in each category.
Voting Panel:
A select group of trail running experts and organizations from around the world chose the winners:
TrailRunning channel
Trail Territory
American Trail Running Association
Tejas Trail
Destination Trail
Swiss Alps
A côté de mes pommes
Jogging International
Editions Mons
Belgium Running
Asia Trail Master
Ultra X
TB Press
Tempo
Lusa
Sterrato Gang
Sport di Montagna
Trail Chasers
Paraty by UTMB
Project Trail Running
World Trail Races
Skyrunning Federation Bulgaria
Voting Period:
From December 1 to December 14, 2024
🏆 Winners: Long and Ultra Distances
Male Category:
🥇 Vincent Bouillard – His tenacity and skill in extreme terrain put him at the top.
🥈 Ludovic Pommeret – A legend who continues to set the standard in endurance racing.
🥉 Jim Walmsley – The American runner continues to make his mark in the ultra trails.
Women’s Category:
🥇 Courtney Dauwalter – Considered one of the best ultramarathoners of all time.
🥈 Katie Schide – Her consistency and style positioned her as a strong contender.
🥉 Jasmin Paris – A runner whose determination inspires the trail community.
🏆 Winners: Short/Medium Distances and Skyrunning
Male Category:
🥇 Kilian Jornet – The undisputed king of skyrunning reaffirms his dominance in 2024.
🥈 Elhoussine Elhazzaoui – His speed and precision led him to second place.
🥉 Patrick Kipngeno – A promise that continues to excel at altitude.
Women’s Category:
🥇 Judith Wyder – Her talent and passion shone brightly this year.
🥈 Joyce Njeru – A name that resonates strongly in the short distance circuits.
🥉 Anaëlle Bondoux – A revelation in the world of skyrunning.
Give it up for the Best Athletes of the Year! 🎉
2024 left us with epic moments and unforgettable races. We congratulate the winners and all the finalists who with their efforts have elevated this sport to new heights.
Who will be the next to reach the summit of success in 2025? The race is on!
Gongga 100: What Is It Really Like to Race in China’s High Mountains?
How much does it cost to enter a trail race in Europe? TrailRunAdvisor analysed 200+ races across 11 countries to compare entry fees across half marathon, marathon, 100K and 100-mile distances, including UTMB® World Series races.
Western States Qualifying Races 2027 & 2028: New Races, Changes and Entry Process
The Western States Endurance Run has released its qualifying race lists for the 2027 and 2028 lotteries. Here are the biggest changes, the new qualifying races to know about, and how the Western States lottery entry process works. For thousands of ultrarunners around the world, getting into the Western States Endurance Run is a long-term goal. The 100-mile race from Olympic Valley to Auburn is one of the most sought-after races in trail running, and for most runners, the first step is completing an official Western States qualifying race. The Western States Endurance Run (WSER) has now published its qualifying race lists for both the 2027 and 2028 lotteries, giving runners a much clearer picture of their options for the next two years. How the
5 Ultra Trail Races in Spain You Should Discover
Photo credit: UltraMediterrania Instagram Spain is one of Europe’s most exciting destinations for trail running and ultra trail racing. From the mountains of Andalucía and the Sierra de Guadarrama to the Mediterranean ranges of Alicante and the spectacular valleys of Málaga, ultra trail races in Spain offer an extraordinary variety of terrain, landscapes and challenges. For international runners, however, the Spanish ultra trail calendar can be surprisingly difficult to navigate. Beyond the biggest names in the sport, there are dozens of races offering spectacular courses, strong local identities and very different ways to experience Spain on foot. And if you are searching specifically for a 100K ultra in Spain, there are plenty of options beyond the most famous international races. So, whether you are looking
Ticino 500: What It’s Really Like to Run 500 km and 40,000m of Elevation
500 km. 40,000 metres of elevation gain. Almost no sleep. A backpack weighing up to 12 kg. And, at one point, around 20 km without water. What does it actually feel like to take on a trail race of this magnitude? After 150 km, Alessandro spent around 20 km without water under the midday sun. During the first 36 hours, he slept for just seven minutes. His backpack reached 12 kg, and with aid stations around 50 km apart, managing hydration and food became a challenge in itself. Alessandro’s previous longest race was the Tor130. The jump to 500 km was therefore not a gradual progression. It was, in his own words, a “leap into the void.” We spoke to Alessandro after completing the Ticino
