The North Face Transgrancanaria 2026: Race Recap
Catch up on all the action from The North Face Transgrancanaria 2026 — one of the most iconic events on the international trail running calendar. From the explosive Vertical Kilometer to the gruelling 125km Classic, athletes from around the world gathered on the rugged volcanic trails of Gran Canaria for a spectacular week of trail racing.
Jump to: VK El Gigante Recap | VK El Gigante Results | Promo (12k) Recap | Promo (12k) Recap | Promo (12k) Results | Marathon Recap | Marathon Results | Classic Recap | Classic Results
SportsShoes Pro Alpine Trail Team Make Their International Debut
Every journey has a beginning.
For the SportsShoes Pro Alpine Trail Team that moment came on the global stage at The North Face Transgrancanaria 2026. At the opening event of the 2026 season, supported by The North Face the team arrived in Gran Canaria ready to test themselves against some of the best athletes in trail running - and made an immediate impact.
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Pictured: Kate Battersby and Amelie Lane. Photo credit: Rich Gill
Across a week of racing on the island’s rugged volcanic trails, the newly formed team announced its arrival on the international stage.
Madlen Kappeler set the tone early, delivering a commanding double victory by winning both the VK El Gigante and the 12K Promo race. Vanessa Caba followed with a standout performance in the Marathon, charging through a stacked field to claim an impressive 8th place.
It was a statement debut - the arrival of the SportsShoes Pro Alpine Trail Team (PATT) on the international trail scene, and just the beginning of what promises to be an exciting first season.
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Follow the Pro Alpine Trail Team on Instagram
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Pictured: Vanessa Caba pictured in the Marathon. Photo credit: Rich Gill
Meanwhile, The North Face Explorer Team UK joined the action on the island, linking up with SportsShoes PATT athlete Amelie Lane to experience everything Gran Canaria has to offer - from photoshoots to race day, sea level to the summits, shoe testing to sunset miles.
Golden trails, shared miles, and unforgettable moments at one of the most iconic events on the trail running calendar.
Josh Beaumont and Kate Battersby of The North Face Explorer Team finished 28th and 76th respectively in the Marathon, while Rich Gill placed 90th in the demanding 81km Advanced Race. You can find the full race recap below.
Pictured: Amelie Lane. Photo credit: Rich Gill
04.03.26: The North Face Transgrancanaria’s VK El Gigante
Madlen Kappeler and Henri Aymonod open the week with a relentless climb
The 27th edition of The North Face Transgrancanaria got underway in historic fashion as KV El Gigante delivered proper mountain racing conditions. Cold, rain, and 1,090 metres of relentless climbing set the tone for a brutal day in Tamadaba. With the weather closing in and the trails slick underfoot, it was a true test from the first step to the finish line.
In the women’s race, Madlen Kappeler claimed victory in her first outing for the SportsShoes Pro Alpine Trail Team, edging out local Canarian Moana Lilly Kehres by just 10 seconds in a nail-biting finish. Arianna Dentis rounded out the podium in third.
Pictured: Madlen Kappeler in action in the VK. Photo credit: Transgrancanaria
The men’s race saw Henri Aymonod of The North Face make it three consecutive wins in the explosive vertical showdown, underlining his dominance on steep terrain. Fellow Italians Edoardo Rossano and Matteo Siletto completed an all-Italian podium.
SportsShoes’ Ben Mounsey secured 9th place overall and 2nd in the V40 masters category, while teammate Kirsty Hall also impressed, finishing 11th overall and taking the win in the V50 category.
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VK El Gigante Race Results
Women's Top 3
1st - Madlen Kappeler - 48:21
2nd - Moana Lilly Kehres - 48:31
3rd - Arianna Dentis - 49:01
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Men's Top 3
1st - Henri Aymonod - 39:08
2nd - Edoardo Rossano - 42:49
3rd - Matteo Siletto - 43:18
The North Face Summit Series VECTIV Sky 2
The North Face’s lightest VECTIV trail shoe proved to be perfect for the VK and 12K Promo races. Its carbon-fibre propulsion plate and aggressive outsole was ideal for these shorter, explosive efforts. Madlen Kappeler was seen wearing them as she powered up the steep volcanic ascent, while Vanessa Caba and Kate Battersby also wore them during their Promo race.
05.03.26: The North Face Transgrancanaria Promo (12k) 2026
SportsShoes’ Madlen Kappeler Shines Across the Week
Following the spectacular start with the El Gigante Vertical Kilometer, the 27th edition of The North Face Transgrancanaria delivered another exciting day of racing with the Half and Promo distances.
It was another victory for SportsShoes Pro Alpine Trail Team athlete Madlen Kappeler, secured two wins in less than 24 hours at Transgrancanaria. After her VK triumph, Kappeler returned to take a dominant victory in the 12K Promo race, finishing almost 13 minutes ahead of her closest rival.
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Pictured: Madlen Kappeler. Photo credit: James Collins
Franziska Schrader secured second place in 1:24:15, with Monica Vega Plasencia completing the podium in 1:28:20.
The men’s race saw Asturias’ Daniel Galán take the win in 1:08:29, followed by Jehosua Medina Sanchez in 1:09:14. SportsShoes’ Ben Mounsey rounded out the podium with a strong third-place finish in 1:10:38.
The Half distance debuted a stunning new start from the historic centre of Santa Lucía de Tirajana, guiding runners through spectacular terrain towards Tunte and the demanding Camino de la Plata. The course covered 23 km with 1,817 metres of elevation gain before finishing in the iconic mountain village of Tejeda.
In the women’s race, Catalan runner Estel Roig won a thrilling duel with María Fuentes Ilchna, while Arianna Dentis secured third place. In the men’s race, La Rioja’s Alain Santamaría claimed victory after finishing second in last year’s edition, with Marcos Villamueza Izquierdo taking second and Diego Menéndez Rodríguez finishing third.
It was a historic day for Canarian trail running, with more than 1,800 runners taking part across both distances.
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Promo Race Results
Women’s Top 3
1st - Madlen Kappeler - 1:11:28
2nd - Franziska Schrader - 1:24:15
3rd - Mónica Vega Plasencia - 1:28:20
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Men’s Top 3
1st - Daniel Ramón Galán Rivera - 1:08:29
2nd -Jehosua Medina Sanchez - 1:09:14
3rd - Ben Mounsey - 1:10:38
06.03.26: The North Face Transgrancanaria Marathon (46 km) 2026
A momentous marathon for Ikram Rharsella and Antonio Martínez
The Transgrancanaria Marathon delivered an exciting day of racing, with 1,800 runners starting from Tejeda in the mountains of Gran Canaria.
In the women’s race, Ikram Rharsalla took the win on her debut, finishing in 3:46:21 after a strong battle with Núria Gil, who placed second. Caterina Stenta completed the podium in third.
The men’s race saw Antonio Martínez finally claim victory in 3:26:42 on his fifth attempt at the race. The podium was completed by fellow Spaniards Fran Anguita and Miguel Benítez, making it an all-Spanish men’s podium.
A fantastic performance also came from Vanessa Caba, a SportsShoes athlete from the newly formed Pro Alpine Trail Team (PATT), who delivered a sensational run to finish 8th woman in 4:40.
Kate Battersby made her debut racing abroad for The North Face, and the UK Explorer Team athlete had a race to remember. Ellis Hall also completed her first marathon distance abroad, taking on the mighty TGC and finishing strong.
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Pictured: Vanessa Caba at the finish. Photo credit: Rich Gill
Another standout performance came from Josh Beaumont, who is getting stronger with every race. He finished 1st British runner home and 28th overall after an excellent run in a stacked international field.
Later that night, the flagship 125 km Classic race started from Las Canteras Beach in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, with top international names including Jonathan Albon and Tom Evans lining up.
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Marathon Race Results
Women’s Top 3
1st - Ikram Rharsalla - 3:46:21
2nd - Núria Gil - 3:50:00
3rd - Caterina Stenta - 4:02:49
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Men’s Top 3
1st - Antonio Martínez - 3:26:42
2nd -Fran Anguita - 3:27:49
3rd - Miguel Benítez - 3:28:31
The North Face Summit VECTIV Pro 3
Designed in collaboration with The North Face global athlete team, the Summit VECTIV Pro 3 was ready to take on both the Marathon and the Classic. Its high-rebound DREAM foam, full-length carbon plate, and superior breathability promise comfort and propulsion to keep you going over marathon and ultra distances without distractions.
07.03.26: The North Face Transgrancanaria Classic (125k) 2026
A double victory for the unstoppable Albon duo.
What a race, Jon Albon and Henriette Albon delivered a stunning double victory in one of the toughest races on the World Trail Majors circuit. An incredible day for The North Face, claiming 1st and 3rd on the men’s podium.
Henriette Albon claimed her second consecutive Transgrancanaria Classic title, taking control after Tejeda and pulling clear to win in 15:16:33. In a dominant display, she once again showed why she is one of the very best in the sport.
Behind her, Claudia Tremps and Mélanie Delasoie shared a brilliant moment of sportsmanship, crossing the finish line together, hand in hand, to share second place.
The men’s race was stacked, with The North Face athlete Jonathan Albon battling Hannes Namberger, his teammate Josh Wade, and Tom Evans through the night in a tightly packed lead group for hours. In the end, Albon broke clear in the later stages to take the win in 12:58:08, with Namberger finishing just five minutes behind and Wade securing third.
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Pictured: Jon and Henriette Albon at the finish. Photo credit: Carlos Díaz-Recio
Classic Race Results:
Women’s Top 3
1st - Henriette Albon - 15:16:33
2nd - Claudia Tremps & Mélanie Delasoie - 16:49:20
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Men’s Top 3
1st -Jonathan Albon - 12:58:08
2nd -Hannes Namberger - 13:03:10
3rd -Josh Wade - 13:07:54
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