Kilian Jornet dominated Zegama in 2024 and has won it 11 times. This small Basque town transforms each May into the global heart of trail running—an event that blends elite sport, Basque culture, and an atmosphere unmatched anywhere on Earth. Thousands of runners apply for a bib every year, but only a handful succeed.
Nestled in Gipuzkoa, the Zegama-Aizkorri marathon runs through the Aizkorri-Aratz Natural Park, a wild and steep landscape that takes your breath away before the climbs even begin. The course stretches 42.2 kilometers with 2,736 meters of positive elevation gain, topping out at Aitxuri (1,551 meters above sea level). That alone explains why it’s called the “cathedral of trail running.”
**Why Is Zegama the Most Wanted Race?**
It has the most dedicated fans in the trail world. The climb to Sancti Spiritu at kilometer 8 turns into a human cauldron. Thousands pack a narrow corridor, shouting, cheering, pushing runners with their souls. Close your eyes and it feels like Alpe d’Huez—but with mud.
“Zegama is Zegama” says it all. No other race, not even UTMB Montblanc, creates a similar atmosphere on this legendary climb that often decides the winner of the prestigious txapela.
The elite field is world-class. Zegama is part of the Golden Trail World Series, guaranteeing the presence of the best. Kilian Jornet has conquered it 11 times, most recently in 2024. He won’t be there in 2025, but his legacy endures. Other international stars include Maude Mathys, Rémi Bonnet, Stian Angermund, and Nienke Brinkman.
> “I will run Zegama even if I’m not competitive, just to finish in 4, 5, or 6 hours.”
> — Kilian Jornet, trail runner
**A Privilege to Run Zegama**
Only a few amateurs get a bib each year. Over 11,500 people enter the lottery, and barely more than 200 make it. That makes running this mythical race even more legendary.
From the start in Zegama to the summits of Aizkorri, the course mixes technical sections, brutal climbs, and fast descents—all with spectacular views of the Basque Country. The terrain is wet, muddy, and unpredictable. Some years even walking is tough. Yet records still fall, like Kilian’s 3:36:40 in 2022. Will we see that in 2025? Unlikely.
The women’s record belongs to 31-year-old Dutch runner Nienke Brinkman, with a time of 4:16:43, set in 2022.
If you love trail running, crave epic suffering, and dream of racing through a wall of cheers in the mountains, then yes—but remember: Zegama is not run; it is survived.
Zegama is passion, epic struggle, and communion with the mountain. It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. That is why everyone wants to run it.
