American ultrarunning legend Courtney Dauwalter has secured the Gran Canaria World Trail Major (WTM) championship, cementing her place among the sport’s all-time greats. Yet, Canadian women stole the spotlight in the series, securing five of the top 15 spots in the final rankings and showcasing their strength on the global trail running stage.
How the Rankings Work
The WTM series uses the International Trail Runners Association (ITRA) point system to rank runners based on their top two race finishes. This streamlined approach highlights consistent excellence. Tied scores are broken using ITRA rankings, a rule that played a pivotal role in determining Dauwalter’s victory over Canada’s Anne Champagne.
Champagne’s stellar season earned her second place overall, thanks to wins at the QMT 100-miler and the Grand Raid des Pyrenees. Fellow Canadians delivered impressive performances: Kelsey Hogan of New Brunswick ranked fifth after taking second at QMT and 11th at the Madeira Island Ultra-Trail. Geneviève Asselin-Demers, from Quebec, claimed eighth, with standout results at Black Canyon Ultras, Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, and UTCT. Jazmine Lowther of British Columbia, buoyed by her UTCT 100K win, ranked 11th, while Quebec’s Marianne Hogan placed 15th after dominating the Swiss Canyon Trail.
A Global Series with Canadian Roots
Canadian men also left their mark, with Jean-François “Jeff” Cauchon of Quebec placing seventh following his QMT 100-miler victory. Ethan Peters of British Columbia finished 14th, showing consistency across events like Black Canyon Ultras and Madeira Island Ultra-Trail.
The WTM series, celebrated for its grassroots approach, spans nine breathtaking global races, including stops in Hong Kong, Arizona, Japan, Portugal, and South Africa. The series concluded at Ultra-Trail Cape Town, with Quebec Mega Trail serving as Canada’s sole event.
This year’s WTM season not only crowned Dauwalter but also highlighted Canada’s rising dominance in trail running. With a focus on simplicity and inclusivity, the series continues to inspire athletes worldwide.
