It’s one of the world’s classic trail races and even on sun-dried tracks and with no mud, the ‘Basque Marathon’ delivered another fantastic race on Sunday as the European leg of the 2025 Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) continued.
On the slopes of Aizkorri and in conditions unusual for this mountain, the latest edition was defined by a relentless pace and calculated attacks, with two names shining brightest: Elhousine Elazzaoui (Morocco – NNormal) and Sara Alonso (Spain – Asics).
Two different ways of approaching the race, two contrasting strategies, but one clear outcome: they were the strongest in this year’s Zegama-Aizkorri. Here’s how it all played out…
Women’s race – Alonso in charge throughout
From the very first strides, Alonso made it clear that her presence in Zegama wasn’t a gamble – it was a statement. The runner from San Sebastián took the lead within the first few kilometres, set a solid pace early on, and never gave up the front position. On a day when the heat pushed harder than usual and the dry terrain encouraged speed, she read the race with intelligence: aggressive when needed, conservative when the course demanded it.
Neither the pressure from Switzerland’s Judith Wyder (Switzerland – Hoka), who chased her for much of the race, nor the late charge from a powerful Malen Osa in the final stretch, could shake a focused Alonso. By the time she reached Ultzama (8.5 km), she was already in clear command, with Wyder a minute behind.
At Aketegi, she held a steady lead of nearly three minutes. Behind her Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon) and others tried to regroup, while Wyder relied on her experience to hang on. But as often happens in Zegama, the race was defined not just by the legs, but by the mind. Alonso left no room for doubt: with a firm stride, she held her pace all the way to the finish and claimed victory with a time of 4:27:25. A flawless performance in one of the fastest and cleanest editions in recent years.
Wyder finished second in 4:29:47, while Osa completed the podium in 4:31:18, confirming her meteoric rise. Rosa María Lara Feliu (Spain – Compressport) delivered a strong race to finish fourth, and Switzerland’s Theres Leboeuf (Compressport) rounded out the coveted top five.
Men’s race – Third-time lucky for Elazzaoui
The men’s race was defined by an explosive start from Andreu Blanes (Spain – Hoka), who took the lead in the opening kilometers and held it with authority well into the second half of the course.
But it was at the Andratx checkpoint where everything changed: Elazzaoui picked up the pace on the climb, caught Blanes, and took control just before launching into the Moano descent, a section he knows well and where he once again showcased his technical mastery.
From that moment on, there was no turning back. The Moroccan charged downhill fearlessly, sealed the race, and crossed the finish line in 3:43:28, finally conquering Zegama after finishing second two years in a row.
Blanes, after losing the lead, rallied in the final stretch to reclaim second place, closing out an outstanding performance.
Daniel Pattis (Italy – Brooks) was third in 3:51:40 and the top five was completed by Luca Del Pero and Lorenzo Beltrami, both from Italy and racing for the Scarpa team, capping off a brilliant day for Italian trail running.
Zegama-Aizkorri 2025 results
Sunday May 25th, 42km
WOMEN
1. Sara Alonso (Spain – Asics) — 4h27’25”
2. Judith Wyder (Switzerland – Hoka) — 4h29’47”
3. Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon) — 4h31’18”
4. Rosa María Lara Feliu (Soain – Compressport) — 4h32’00”
5. Theres Leboeuf (Switzerland– Compressport) — 4h33’29”
6. Ikram Rharsalla (Spain – Joma) — 4h37’39”
7. Ida Amelie Robsahm (Norway – Hoka) — 4h38’41”
8. Oihana Kortazar (Spain – Salomon) — 4h42’59”
9. Patricia Pineda (Spain – La Sportiva) — 4h44’22”
10. Marta Martínez Abellán (Spain – La Sportiva) — 4h44’29”
MEN
1. Elhousine Elazzaoui (Marocco – NNormal) — 3h43’28”
2. Andreu Blanes (Spain – Hoka) — 3h50’53”
3. Daniel Pattis (Italy – Brooks) — 3h51’40”
4. Luca Del Pero (Italy – Scarpa) — 3h54’19”
5. Lorenzo Beltrami (Italy – Scarpa) — 3h54’58”
6. Thomas Cardin (France– Kiprun) — 3h55’34”
7. Antonio Martínez (Spain – Asics) — 3h56’42”
8. Nicolás Molina (Spain – La Sprotiva) — 3h58’51”
9. Stian Angermund (Norway) — 3h59’46”
10. Marcin Kubica (Poland – Salomon) — 3h59’50”
