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With less than 80 days to go before the opening race of the 2026 season, the World Cup will get underway on 19 April in Portugal, marking the start of another truly international mountain running campaign.
This is the third and final press release in the discipline series, focusing on the Up&Down discipline to continue with the full overview of the 2026 World Cup calendar.
THREE DISCIPLINES, ONE WORLD CUP: CLASSIC UP & DOWN DISCIPLINE
The Classic Up & Down discipline represents the most traditional and recognisable form of mountain running. Races are characterised by a single main ascent followed by a descent, demanding a complete skill set that combines climbing strength, downhill efficiency, technical control and tactical awareness.
In line with World Athletics mountain running guidelines, Classic Up & Down races typically range between 8 km and 18 km, with a significant vertical component and continuous variation in gradient and terrain. These races reward athletes capable of excelling both uphill and downhill, making versatility a defining factor.
Within the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup, the Classic Up & Down discipline forms the historic backbone of the series, directly linking the modern circuit to the sport’s earliest international competitions.
CLASSIC UP & DOWN RACES: THE HEART OF MOUNTAIN RUNNING
SEASON OPENER AND HISTORIC ROOTS IN PORTUGAL
São Brás Cross — Classic Up & Down
19 April 2026 | Centro de Portugal
Approx. 10,9 km | 628 m +/-
The Classic Up & Down season opens the entire 2026 World Cup with São Brás Cross, near Castro Daire, within the Centro de Portugal region, a region that has played an important role in the development of international mountain running.
Hosting the season opener in São Brás reinforces the strong connection between the World Cup’s origins and its modern global format.
Fast and competitive, the course rewards efficient transitions between ascent and descent, setting the tone for the season ahead.
More information here
CLASSIC UP & DOWN – ENDURANCE THROUGH HISTORY
Beijing Changping Yanshou — Classic Up & Down
26 April 2026
Approx. 18 km | 1,275 m +/-
Venue: Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest
The second Classic Up & Down race of the season takes place in China with a traditional up-and-down mountain challenge set in the Silver Mountain Pagoda Forest, an area known for its rugged terrain and high concentration of ancient pagodas.
Technical climbs, demanding descents and sustained elevation change reward complete mountain runners — athletes able to combine endurance, strength and downhill skill across varied terrain. Set against a landscape shaped by centuries of history, the race highlights the strong connection between mountain running and cultural heritage.
More information here
ALPINE CLASSIC BENEATH AUSTRIA’S HIGHEST PEAK
Grossglockner Mountain Run — Classic Up & Down
5 July 2026
Approx. 13.3 km | 1,300 m +/-
In July, the World Cup returns to the Alps for the Grossglockner Mountain Run, one of Austria’s most established mountain races.
Set beneath Grossglockner, Austria’s highest mountain, the course follows historic alpine routes and delivers a pure Classic Up & Down challenge, combining sustained climbing with a demanding descent. Its long tradition and iconic setting make it a cornerstone of the discipline. More information here.
FORTIFICATIONS AND TECHNICAL DESCENTS IN FRANCE
Vauban Mountain Trail — Classic Up & Down
18–19 July 2026
Approx. 14 km | 1,000 m +/-
The Classic Up & Down calendar continues in France with the Vauban Mountain Trail, hosted in Briançon, the highest city in France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In its 7th edition, the course traverses historic military paths shaped by the fortifications of Vauban, combining technical climbs with fast, demanding descents. Precision, downhill control and tactical execution are decisive on this classic alpine test.
More information here
WORLD CUP FINALS AND A HISTORIC FIRST IN CANADA
Défi des Couleurs — World Cup Final Classic Up & Down
10–11 October 2026
Approx. 11 km | 800 m +/-
The Classic Up & Down discipline concludes with Défi des Couleurs, hosting the World Cup Final and marking the first time in World Cup history that the circuit visits Canada.
Set on the slopes of Mont-Sainte-Anne (Québec), the final delivers a balanced test of climbing and descending. With the season standings on the line, the race rewards consistency across the calendar in a venue renowned for its mountain sports heritage.
More information here
A HISTORIC STEP: CATEGORY PRIZE MONEY
For the first time in its 27-year history, the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup will award dedicated category prize money for each discipline:
- Uphill
- Classic Up & Down
- Long Distance
This marks a major evolution of the World Cup structure, recognising discipline-specific excellence alongside the traditional overall standings.
Category prize money is paid in addition to the overall World Cup awards. Across the full series, total prize money amounts to approximately €250,000, of which €50,000 is allocated by the WMRA to category and final prizes.
The WMRA also maintains its long-standing commitment to clean sport, reinvesting up to 30% of each race’s registration fees into anti-doping controls, ensuring testing at every World Cup event.
A TRUE 10-OUT-OF-10 SEASON AHEAD
The WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026 is more international, more competitive and more ambitious than ever. With new prize structures, increased visibility and a calendar stretching across oceans and mountains, the 2026 season honours the sport’s heritage while driving it decisively into the future.
IN MOUNTAIN RUNNING WE TRUST.