Compared to recent weeks, this week’s Trail and Ultra News Recap is relatively light on major headlines. But it’s just the calm before the storm, given that Tahoe Trail Week—the 10-day span that includes Broken Arrow Skyrace, TrailCon and Western States 100—is just a few weeks out.

In this week’s Trail and Ultra News Recap for May 25, you can read about how Morocco’s Elhousine Elazzaoui continued his winning streak in the Golden Trail World Series and how a French ultrarunner who might not have heard of set a new 48-hour vert record. Plus, you can dig into the results of numerous trail races across the U.S., read Zoë Rom’s perspective on “What Happens When Ultra Goes Mainstream” and catch up on key podcasts you might have missed.

Read more in this week’s Trail and Ultra News Recap for May 25 below, cutting through the noise to the trail running headlines you don’t want to miss from media outlets across the sport. And be sure to browse for your next trail or ultra race on UltraSignup.

Race Results and News Recap for May 25

French Runner Racks Up 81,230 Feet of Vert in 48 Hours

Matthis Granet, a relatively unknown 28-year-old French ultrarunner, set a new world record for total elevation gain over 48 hours, accumulating an extraordinary 81,230 feet of ascent during a continuous challenge held near his home in the French Alps. Granet, who was 88th overall in the 2021 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, surpassed the previous benchmark of 78,910 feet, set by Paul Henri Romestin in March 2022. The attempt followed official world record protocols and is currently pending final ratification.

The challenge took place on a local route just 3K from his home in La Muraz, France, with each lap featuring approximately 226 feet of elevation gain. The format reflected Granet’s commitment to promoting a more sustainable and accessible vision of ultra running by proving that world-class endurance challenges can happen close to home.

What started as a solo effort quickly transformed into a remarkable community movement. Throughout the two days and nights, local runners continuously joined Granet on the climb, accompanying him up and down the hill in scenes reminiscent of Forrest Gump in the mountains’. Even during the night, supporters arrived to encourage him and share parts of the effort alongside him.

“The first half of the challenge didn’t follow my plan and I wasn’t sure that I could make it,” Granet said. “Luckily things went better on the second day thanks to all the support that the local runners and my crew gave to me. It’s not my record; it’s a record for the whole team.”

Elazzaoui, Kimutai Win Golden Trail Races in Italy

Morocco’s Elhousine Elazzaoui kept his streak alive by winning Ledro Sky Trentino Trentino, Italy, just one week after triumphing at Zegama-Aizkorri Marathon, strengthening the lead in the overall standings of the Golden Trail World Series as he chases a third consecutive title. He covered the 21.5K course with 5,830 feet of elevation change in 1:55:48 over Philemon Kiriago (1:57:07) and Michael Selelo Saoli (1:57:11). In the women’s race, Kenya’s Caroline Kimutai managed won in 2:15:48, crossing the line 2 minutes ahead of Romania’s Madalina Florea.

In the overall standings, Elazzaoui leads convincingly with 422 points, ahead of Alain Santamaría of Spain (239 points) and Damian Bogdan of Romania (235 points), respectively. In the Ledro Sky. In the women’s standings, Spain’s Estel Roig remains in the lead with 260 points ahead of Sweden’s Tove Alexandersson (230 points) and Kimutai (214 points).

Results: Golden Trail World Series

Moreno, Deleone Win Adrenaline Night Runs

Joseph Moreno, a 22-year-old runner from Tucson, Arizona, set a new course record in the Adrenaline Night Runs 50K on Saturday in Fountain Hills, Arizona, blazing the course in 3:49:17 to break Barry Weickert’s 2024 mark of 3:50:21. Kurt Houghton was a distant second in 4:35:43. Marlena Deleone won the women’s race in 5:23:34—the seventh-fastest women’s time in the event’s history—with a 46-minute margin over Callie Arndt (6:09:21).

Results: UltraSignup

Hanspal, Flaminio Win Stumptown 50K

In Portland, Oregon, Ajay Hanspal (right) was the runaway winner in the men’s race of the Stumptown Trail Runs 50K in 3:51:42, a solid 3-minute gap over runner-up Nicholas Hughes (3:54:51). Kelly Flaminio (left) won the women’s race in 5:22:37. Jackson Rich won the men’s half marathon in 1:29:22, while Amber Backes finished second overall in 1:43:25. Baby Timm was the non-binary winner in 4:12.

Results: UltraSignup

Neddenriep Wins Last One Standing in Spokane

Mark Neddenriep, a 35-year-old runner from Spokane, Washington, covered 60 miles and outlasted Laurel Gearhart, 47, of Meridian, Idaho to win the Last One Standing event in Spokane.

Results: UltraSignup

Slobodianuk, O’Leary Take 50K Wins at Sugar Badger Trail Race

In the men’s 50K at the Sugar Badger Trail Races near Belleville, Wisconsin, Reese Slobodianuk pulled away for a convincing victory in 3:16:22, finishing well ahead of Eric Markman (3:43:44) and Mike Treder (3:45:22). The women’s race was considerably tighter, with Jen O’Leary taking the win in 4:58:05 ahead of Keely Flanagan (5:05:11).

In the men’s 50-mile race, Erl Martin earned the win in 6:07:36, adding another Sugar Badger title after previously winning the 2023 50-miler and 2025 50K. Andrea Stabelfeldt dominated the women’s 50-mile race from the start, winning in 7:30:39 and placing fourth overall.

Results: UltraSignup

Pound, Maldonado Dominate China Camp Trail Runs

At the China Camp Trail Run in San Rafael, California, four runners over the age of 40 dominated the half marathon, with 49-year-old Anthony Pound winning in 1:35:18 followed by Carson Davis (1:44:26), Edward Randolph (1:45:43) and Dustin Komen (1:50:26). Reyna Maldonado, 46, dominated the women’s race in 1:58:07, winning with a 3-minute margin over Annie Van Roo (2:01:30).

Results: UltraSignup

More Coverage of Trail and Ultra Races

Additional race results for Sweat, Swat, N Swear, Fit Farmer 12K, May Madness 50K, Drummer Hill Trail Races, Crown of the Crest Trail Marathon, Conquer the Beast, Memorial Day Trail Run, Johnston Woods Trail Festival, and Tour de Trail Shawnee Mission Park North.

For more race results, visit UltraSignup’s results finder page.

UltraRunning’s Ultra Weekend Recap: May 24

Read More: UltraRunning Magazine

iRunFar’s This Week in Running: May 25

Read More: iRunFar

Training and Inspiration

Rachel Entrekin Goes Mainstream Trail and Ultra News Recap for May 25

What Happens When Ultra Goes Mainstream

UltraSignup’s Zoë Rom provides some perspective about the growing hype and mainstream excitement about utlrarunning after Rachel Entrekin’s historic win at the Cocodona 250 earlier this month.

Read More: UltraSignup’s Trailhead Media

The Ethics of the Non-Professional Runner

Sabrina Little, an iRunFar columnist with a doctorate in philosophy and whose research is at the intersection of virtue, character, and sport, writes a thoughtful essay about whether non-elite runners should be subject to the same ethical standards as elite-level and professional runners

Read More: iRunFar

Budgeting for Cocodona 2027

If you entered the Cocodona 250 lottery, you already know the price of admission isn’t small. You looked at the entry fee, thought about it, and signed up anyway—because some adventures feel too meaningful to pass up. Now comes the hard part, says Ultrarunning’s Mandie Holmes: waiting for the email that could define your spring of 2027.

Read More: Ultrarunning Magazine

Kilian Jornet Is Preparing for the Heat at Western States

Jornet’s training approach to closing the heat gap has been extreme. For the past 10 weeks, Kilian Jornet has trained indoors in a home gym heated to 110°F (45°C), often running for two to three hours at a time while wearing waterproof layers to limit cooling. Throughout the sessions, he closely monitors metrics including core temperature, sweat rate, and sodium loss.

Read More: Marathon Handbook

The Science Behind Post-Ultra Tissue Recovery

The first 72 hours after a major effort represent a critical recovery window, as connective tissues remain especially vulnerable even in the absence of obvious injuries like sprains or strains. Physical therapist Joe Uhan writes that post-race inflammation triggers a cascade of chemical repair processes that can temporarily weaken tissue integrity, increasing susceptibility to future problems if recovery is rushed. Proper recovery during this period is essential not only for rebuilding strength, but also for reducing long-term injury risk.

Read More: iRunFar

Podcasts

The Rich Roll Podcast: Andy Glaze

Arizona’s Andy Glaze is a firefighter paramedic, ultrarunner, and the author of “Smile, or You’re Doing It Wrong,” the mantra he pushes joyfully in every social post he makes. In this episode of the Rich Roll Podcast, they discuss his descent into addiction, the inflection point that rerouted his life, the limits of running as a coping mechanism, the algorithm of transformation, and more.

The Buzz Podcast: Multi-sport Legend Danelle Ballengee

Danelle Ballengee is one of the most decorated endurance athletes in American history, a four-time Pikes Peak Marathon champion, two-time adventure racing world champion, and six-time U.S. athlete of the year across four different endurance sports. In this episode of The Buzz Podcast, Ballengee, a multisport athlete and race director in Moab, Utah, and host Buzz Burrell reflect on a routine training run that almost led to her death. In late 2006, she slipped on black ice on the Amasa Back Trail, tumbled roughly 60 feet, shattered her sacrum, broke her pelvis, and spent two sub-freezing nights alone in the desert before her dog Taz led search and rescue to her location.