The North Face Transgrancanaria kicked off racing on Wednesday with a Vertical Kilometre in 5 days of the world’s best trail running. Two competitions form part of the World Trail Majors Series, and the one chosen for the Short Series was the classic 46KM Marathon.

The route had been significantly modified since last year, meaning that the records —Francesco Puppi 3:23:26, Jennifer Lichter 3:59:41— are only a reference; a mostly downhill profile (+1784 m/-2800 m); and some of the best runners in the world made the ingredients that promised a fast and exciting race.

Tejeda, the start line

For years, the beautiful village of Tejeda has been the starting point for The North Face Transgrancanaria Marathon. With a staggered start to avoid congestion in the first narrow sections, runners soon faced the first climb to the El Garañón camp, where it became clear who had come to Gran Canaria to fight for the top victory.

The Marathon is becoming a highlight of the Transgrancanaria week in its own right, because of the quality of the competition. In the men’s category, the contenders included Henri Aymonod (Italy, The North Face), Bartłomiej Przedwojewski (Poland, Salomon), Marcel Fabian (Poland, Adidas Terrex), Anders Kjærevik (Norway, VJ/Saysky), Juho Ylinen (Finland, Hoka), Adrian Niski (Germany, NNormal), Billy Curtis (Australia) and Spaniards Miguel Benítez (Asics), Antonio Martínez (Asics), Fran Anguita (Kailas Fuga) and Enric Pons (Tuga).

The level among the women was no less impressive: Barbro Fjällstedt Oljans (Sweden, Hoka), Lea Duhet (France, Mount to Coast), Olivia Amber (United States, The North Face), Pina Deiana (Italy, Scarpa Aspa Bastia) and the Spanish runners Núria Gil (Asics), Ikram Rharsalla (Joma), and Gemma Arenas (Joma).

To no one’s surprise, the first few kilometres had the pace of a road 10K. The leading male runners was Henri Aymonod that pushed from the very first meters of ascent followed by Antonio Martínez. The frontrunners for the women, were: Núria Gil and Ikram Rharsalla.

Garañón, first climb, onto Ayagaures and the big descent

The first climb, +1002 m, the leaders are: Antonio Martínez together with Henri Aymonod with a faster Formula 1-style aid station for the Italian. Miguel Benítez a 2h12’ marathon runner, a minute behind, and close behind Bartłomiej Przedwojewski and Marcel Fabian. Women’s leader was Núria Gil a minute and half over Ikram and the same over Caterina Stenta (Italia, Joma). From here, the runners embarked on a long descent with a small steep section. 2,295 metres and 31.9 Kilometres later, they reached Ayagaures, a descent interrupted only by a short climb, before continuing downhill to the last aid station.

Halfway down the descent, with fantastic views, the landmark of Degollada del Dinero (Km 19.3), the pace does not vary much: Henri Aymonod took the lead again over Martínez while Benítez, Marcel, Ylinen were closing the gap. Ikram passed Gil in the first kilometers of the descent but they were together at the Degollada del Dinero while Stenta remained third (+5’) and Gemma Arenas took fourth (+5’). The second section, steeper and more technical, could be decisive.

The only little town in the entire race, Ayagaures, is where a necessary aid station is located to tackle the last stretch: the dreaded dry riverbed that leads to Maspalomas and which, on more than one occasion, has decided the race despite the gentle gradient, but it can be tough due to the high temperatures and repetitive strain on the legs.

In Ayagaures, the order was as follows for men: Martínez, Anguita, Benítez, Johnny Luna Lima (Brazil, The North Face), Benítez, Ylinen and Fabian, all six in less than 2 minutes! For women, it was Ikram Rharsalla leaded but just with 3 minutes over Núria Gil, 7 more over Caterina Stenta. The race was still very open, especially in the men’s division.

Maspalomas welcomes the winners Antonio Martínez and Ikram Rharsalla

The kilometres did not seem to be a problem for Antonio Martínez who ran with ease. Behind him, both Anguita and Benítez looked a threat for Martínez, fighting hard for the win. In the women’s race, Ikram Rharsalla continued to dominate comfortably ahead of Gil, and Stenta.

Benítez took the lead but Martínez did not blew up, kept him at sight and waited for a final push. Something that happened later, Benítez was struggling and even Anguita passed a fatigued Benítez. Pure speed close the finish line. The crowds at Maspalomas’ Parque Sur watched as the runners approached after their considerable effort. Seemingly with energy to spare, Antonio Martínez finaly has won The North Face Transgrancanaria Marathon 46K with a time of 3:26:42, followed by Fran Anguita +1’07”, and Miguel Benítez +42”.

There were no surprises in the women’s category, Ikram Rharsalla won convincingly in 3:46:21 ahead of Núria Gil (+4’), and Caterina Stenta (+12’).

At midnight, the flagship event, The North Face Transgrancanaria Classic, sets off from Las Canteras beach at the island’s capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. This event counts towards the World Trail Majors long distance series and attracts some of the world’s best runners, along with hundreds of other runners who are keen to tick off one of the most prestigious events in the world of trail running.

Links
Full Results: https://transgrancanaria.v3.livetrail.net/es/2026/races/maraton
Streaming: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1k_nm3aEMU

See also
The World Trail Majors 2026 Calendar