Gran Canaria World Trail Majors

Gran Canaria World Trail Majors brings together some of the best trail / ultra races in the world, each with their own identity, diversity, respect, and personality. A collection of “bucket list” races for both amateur and professional runners who want to experience racing like it should be. Each time a unique experience.

In late 2023 we were delighted - with the South Downs Way 100 - to join a series of the worlds most iconic ultras. A group of races who are independently owned by runners, for runners and who share a set of principles making up an overall philosophy. The core values of authenticity, diversity, respect and sustainability are at the heart of each of these races. 

The South Downs Way 100 forms the UK leg of the series for 2024 and beyond.

The evolution of trail and ultra running has been complex and sometimes erratic. To help steer the sports development in the right direction, a handful of race organisers have formed an association that aims to return to safeguard the original spirit of trail and ultra running, using their knowledge and experience acquired over decades.

What are the principles of the GranCanaria World Trail Majors?

GranCanaria WORLDTRAILMAJORS was not born with the intention of confrontation or of solving all the problems of this fast-developing sport, but rather to provide a new, alternative path of development which aims to be inspirational to all runners and organisers.

Diversity embracing difference as enriching and improving trail running as a sporting, cultural and social activity. Trail/ultra racing is an incredibly varied sport, each race is unique, the variety of distances, locations and terrains providing an infinite number of wonderful experiences. Diversity is one trail running’s core values that should be celebrated.

Respect, maintaining and even improving the areas where races are held. The. landscape was here before this sport. Respect for nature and local customs. Allowing trail running to grow as an activity that enriches and is enriched by the local community and environment. An activity that takes place in nature must always treat the environment with respect. Understanding on a local and global scale that the effects of our actions reach far further than the sport itself.

Identity, each race has its own distinct and individual personality that is inspired by. its local environment and its own evolving story. Is the legacy that will remain forever between the runners, the races and the local communities a defining and memorable sporting experience one.

 

Series GranCanaria WORLDTRAILMAJORS

• Hong Kong 100 Ultramarathon︓ One of the events that show-cased trail running in. Asian trail running to the world. 18th – 21st January 2024, 102 km, +5314 m. Hong Kong
• Black Canyon Ultras︓ Pure American trail running on native American trade routes and. old stagecoach trails. 10th - 11th February 2024. 100 km, +1250 m. Phoenix, Arizona, United States.
• The North Face Transgrancanaria︓ One of the classics on the world trail running calendar. 21st - 25th February 2024. 126 km, +6804 m. Canary Islands, Spain.
• Mt.FUJI 100︓ Japanese-style trail running with the great symbolic meaning of the. highest mountain in the country. 26th - 27th April 2024. 165 km, +7574 m. Fujiyoshida, Japan.
• MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail︓ Iconic event on the spectacular island of Madeira. 27th - 28th April 2024. 115 km, +7100 m. Madeira, Portugal.
• Swiss Canyon Trail︓ Founded in 1994, a bucket list and benchmark event in Central. Europe. 7th – 9th June 2024. 111 km, +5350 m. Val de Travers, Switzerland.
• South Downs Way︓ 100 miles following the historic South Downs Way is a classic of. the U.K. racing calendar. 8th – 9th June 2024. 161 km, +3800 m. Winchester, UK.
• Quebec Mega Trail︓ True wild trail running in the mountains near Quebec City. 5th – 7th. July 2024. 160 km, +6500 m. Quebec, Canada.
• Grand Raid des Pyrenees︓ The Grand Raid des Pyrenees is one of the most well established, challenging races on the ultra-running calendar. 21th-25th.August 2024. 163km,+9,800m. Vielle-Aure, central French Pyrenees.​
• RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town︓ Pure mountains next to one of the most cosmopolitan. cities in Africa. 22nd – 24th November 2024. 166 km, +7516 m. Cape Town, South Africa.