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GRAN CANARIA WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2024 GOES TO COURTNEY DAUWALTER AND MIGUEL ARSENIO.
GRAN CANARIA WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2024 GOES TO COURTNEY DAUWALTER AND MIGUEL ARSENIO. Our WORLD TRAIL MAJORS section travels to South Africa for the final results of the 10 ultra trail series.
GRAN CANARIA WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2024 GOES TO COURTNEY DAUWALTER AND MIGUEL ARSENIO.
The RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town brilliantly concluded the new world series of mountain and long-distance races, with victories by Hugo Deck and Jazmine Lowther. However, the overall series took a dramatic turn in the men’s division, as Miguel Arsénio’s second-place finish, combined with his runner-up position at the Swiss Canyon Trail in June, secured him the overall series title.
GRAN CANARIA WORLD TRAIL MAJORS 2024 EDITION
On 13th November 2023, World Trail Majors was launched as nine internationally renowned organisers formed a series of long-distance races based on diversity, respect, and individual identities. Each race remained independent within the series, organised by locals and the series created an international awareness; at the same time, it was an attractive proposal for amateur and elite runners of high-quality events where everyone would find challenges that were ‘a once in a lifetime’ experience.
Starting on 20th January with the Anta Hong Kong 100, immediately followed by the Black Canyon Ultras. On 2nd February, nine became ten as the Grand Raid des Pyrenees joined the series, an iconic event in the French Pyrenees that brings a special flavour to the series: for many it is the definition of a unique event.
On February 22nd, Gran Canaria Tourism joined the project as the title sponsor and the series was renamed the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors.
The North Face Transgrancanaria was followed by the double of Mt. FUJI 100 (where Courtney practically won the women’s series) and MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail.
Another double with Swiss Cayon Trail and South Downs Way, where Guangfu Meng took the lead in the men’s series. Then on to July in Canada where at the Quebec Mega Trail, the local victories by Anne Champagne and Jean François Cauchon put them in the hunt for the series title.
Anne continued in strong form by winning as well at the Grand Raid des Pyrenees with an extraordinary effort to complete two 100-mile races in a month and a half.
CLIMAX AT ULTRA TRAIL CAPE TOWN
With the rankings open, it was on to Cape Town where the series would be decided, a memorable end to what is probably the best race in the country, the RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town. Victories by Hugo Deck and Jazmine Lowther conclude a brilliant first year of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors.
COURTNEY DAUWALTER AND MIGUEL ARSENIO
For many fans of ultra trail, Courtney Dauwalter, is the G.O.A.T. This year, she added to her impressive portfolio of achievements a new victory in the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors series. It took her two victories in The North Face Transgrancanaria and Mt. FUJI 100, both of which were two masterclasses in ultra distance trail running.
At The North Face Transgrancanaria she set the current record in 2023 and won again this year in challenging weather. At Mt. FUJI 100 she won in 2018 and this year she was third overall which gave her an impressive ITRA score of 921 which was decisive in the tie-breaker.
The Canadian Anne Champagne also achieved a spectacular double with victories at Quebec Mega Trail and Grand Raid des Pyrenees which equalled her in points with Courtney Dauwalter but the tie-breaker ITRA ranking put her behind the American.
Considering the quality of Courtney and Anne taking full points in the series, the third and final podium place going to Claire Bannwarth was a hard-fought prize tied with Eve Moore. The Canadian Kelsey Hogan completes the top 5.
MIGUEL ARSENIO WINNER
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Miguel Arsénio’s gamble was risky. After his victory at the Swiss Canyon Trail, he went all in on one last chance in South Africa, and it paid off. The Sport HG/AML Sport runner finished just behind Hugo Deck, and a podium finish was enough for him to claim the well-deserved title in the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors.
Hoka runner Guangfu Meng‘s success was established with a victory at Anta Hong Kong 100, this encouraged him to participate in a second race and challenge for the series, he finished fourth at Swiss Canyon Trail. Chinese runners are known for their seasons full of kilometres and competitions, in Meng’s case twelve races to date, totalling 946 Km of racing. This obviously works for him. The prize is an excellent second at the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors series.
Meng’s results were first and fourth, only one behind with a first and fifth was his compatriot Guomin Deng, fifth in Hong Kong but won brilliantly in Japan to score 2760 points that propelled him to third place overall.
In fourth place was also a Chinese runner, Guidu Qin, followed by the Spaniard Abel Carretero in fifth, who had previously finished fourth at The North Face Transgrancanaria and third at the Swiss Canyon Trail.
WORLD TRAIL MAJORS: Photogallery by org
Final ranking Gran Canaria World Trail Majors 2024.
Women’s final ranking.
1. Courtney Dauwalter (U.S.A, Salomon) – 3000
2. Anne Champagne (Canada, Salomon) – 3000
3. Claire Bannwarth (France, Topo Athletic/Brubeck) – 2530
4. Eve Moore (UK) – 2530
5. Kelsey Hogan (Canada, Norda) – 2470
6. Junyue Zheng (China, Kailas) – 2470
7. Angie Chi Yee Yan (Hong Kong, The North Face) – 2410
8. Geneviève Asselin-Demers (Canada, On) – 2400
9. Anouk Baars (Netherlands, Instinct) – 2185
10. Clara de Bortoli (France) – 2040
Men’s final ranking
1. Miguel Arsénio (Portugal, Sport HG; AML Sport) – 2920
2. Guangfu Meng (China, Hoka) – 2810
3. Guomin Deng (China, The North Face) – 2760
4. Guidu Qin (China, Outopia) – 2730
5. Abel Carretero (Spain, Otso) – 2670
6. Sangé Sherpa (Nepal, Kailas) – 2670
7. Jean-François Cauchon (Canada, Ciele/Norda) -2640
8. Ionel Cristian Manole (Romania, Big K) – 2620
9. Ferdinand Clovis Airault (France) – 2560
10. Luis Fernandes (Portugal – 2480
