The North Face Transgrancanaria once again proves what an amazing trail running event it is. Known and recognised all over the world, a perfect showcase for runners, teams and sponsors, a great place where trail running is presented to the world and where there are always competitive and interesting races. 2025 was no exception. The Canary Island of Gran Canaria saw victories for Caleb Olson and Henriette Albon, a resounding statement of what the rest of their season may hold.
The North Face Transgrancanaria, more than just a race
The Atlantic Island of Gran Canaria hosted the event for the 26th time, born as a challenge to cross the island through its rugged interior using historical routes and paths that linked small towns in ancient times. In its history it has crossed the island in different ways, from south to north, from west to east, two editions per year, until establishing itself in its current format, starting in the capital and finishing in Maspalomas, where the nerve centre and HQ of the race is located, with ample choices for accommodation thanks to its status as a tourism hotspot.
Broadly speaking, the race is divided into two sections: with a midnight start and constant ascents through forests, the first half is demanding, the weather is sometimes rainy, cold and windy but in this 2025 edition the runners experienced a much more gentle night. The steep mountain paths drain the energies, the vertical metres accumulate until dawn arrives, the temperatures rise and the landscapes become more open, making progress more bearable. The daytime can be hot, the second half is mostly downhill with a tough final ten kilometres, sometimes scorching hot under the sun with no shelter, long descents, flat in the last kms and a psychological challenge as you can see the Ocean in the distance where the finish line is set. Strength, patience, and determination will lead the runners to the finish line. For some it will take them into another dark night.
126 kilometres, 6866 metres of ascent (and as many metres of descent), 30 hours time limit, ten aid stations and one of the best starting lines in the sport. But Transgrancanaria is much more than its star race: it has grown to almost a week of events, eight different races and 5300 runners from all corners of the world.
The long Canarian night
The capital of the island, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Las Canteras beach is the start line, which owes its name to limestone rock which was quarried in this area, from which, among other buildings, the Cathedral is built, which began construction in 1497.
Music, lights, atmosphere and light winds accompanied the runners across the first sandy few kilometres. Among the favourite men were Jonathan Albon (UK, The North Face), Miguel Heras (Spain, Joma Sport), Caleb Olson (USA, Nike), Abel Carretero (Spain, Otso/Crown), Ionel Cristian Manole (Spain, Salomon/226ers), José Ángel Fernández (Spain, Kailas Fuga), Fotis Zisimopoulos (Greece), Pau Capell (Spain, The North Face), Tom Joly (United Kingdom, Kailas Fuga), Mark Darbyshire (United Kingdom), Beñat Marmissolle (France, La Sportiva), Borja Fernández (Spain, Scott), Zaid Ait Malek (Spain, Gozalbo), Josh Wade (UK, The North Face), Catalin Sorecau (Romania, Datacor Running Team), Yohan Viani (France), Marco Gubert (Italy), Christian Meier (Canada, Salomon), Jesús Gil (Spain, Joma Sport), Jiqian Wang (China, The North Face), Nicola Bassi (Italy, Ande) and Goshi Osada (Japan, The North Face), among others. What a roster!
The women who looked to be the front runners and who were in contention for the top spots were Yngvild Kaspersen (Norway, Adidas Terex), Henriette Albon (Norway), Claudia Tremps (Spain, Asics), Martina Klancnik Potrc (Slovakia, On), Maite Maiora (Spain, Vibram), Pila María Mercedes (Ecuador, Serrano), Maryline Nakache (France, Cimalp) and Valentina Michielli (Italy, Vibram).
The first stages showed a powerful pack of runners including Olson, Albon and Wade, many others close to them: Fernández, Manole, Heras… For the women, it was a similar story: Kaspersen, Albon, Tremps were in front, but close behind Klancnik, Maiora, Maciel and others were contenders.
First retirements: the kilometres take their toll
As usual, the high pace, pushing too hard in the early kilometres, and the cool night started to take their toll. The retirements of Abel Carretero, Pau Capell and Yngvild Kaspersen and several runners were going backwards, perhaps, a mixture of too high pace and various problems so normal in long-distance races.
Artenara (km 66.8, +4227 m) is just over half distance but 60% of the elevation has been done. Far from saying ‘this is done’ the retirements reduce because runners start to sense the finish line, still far away, but you start to countdown the kilometres to it. At this point the top 3 positions were: Caleb Olson, Josh Wade and Jonathan Albon, all together, for the men, and Henriette Albon, Martina Klancnik and Claudia Tremps for the women, in close fight too.
El Garañón (km 87.3, +5912 m) is the final challenge of the route that generally decides who finishes and who does not. Although a lot can happen in the 40 km ahead, the ‘survivors’ at this point know that they have less than 1000 metres of elevation to go and a long, 2600 metre descent that can be very hard on tired legs. Caleb Olson left Josh Wade who were together until the last half of this demanding +1000 m uphill. Josh Wade made a great effort with Olson and Albon was catching him, just two minutes in this point between the two Englishmen. For the women Henriette Albon was showing her strength and positive vibes in Artenara, overtaking Claudia Tremps in a fast ‘pit stop’ and opening a gap of 7 minutes in Tejeda and 17 in El Garañón. 20 minutes more for Martina, 18 more for Maryline Nakache. The distance to the finish did not guarantee anything, the 2500 meters of descent neither. It is still a race.
Caleb Olson is the King of Gran Canaria
The timing check points suggested that the American Caleb Olson had victory in his pocket, barring hitting a wall of fatigue and a very strong and motivated Albon. The English was trying to give his best: in Artenara were together, in Tejeda Olson 4 minutes ahead, the climb to El Garañón opened the gap to 6, but in Tunte was just 3. The long and last big downhill to Ayagaures opened again the gap to 6 minutes, 14 km to the finish line in Maspalomas. The dry riverbed, the warm temperatures and the pressure of Albon were not enough.
Maspalomas, the tourist capital of the south of the island, saw a tired legged “sprint” finish for Caleb Olson, winner of The North Face Transgrancanaria 2025, in a time of 12:17:25. 8 minutes later the brave Englishman Jonathan Albon crossed the line for second and 15 minutes after that the podium was completed by Josh Wade, visibly tired, a magnificent podium. Behind the top 3 came Ionel Cristian Manole, Catalin Sorecau and Victor Richard (Belgium, Alpi’Motion).
Henriette Albon crowned the Queen of Gran Canaria
None of the winners of previous editions were on the starting line in 2025, the throne awaited a new queen, that was to be Henriette Albon. In a time of 15:02:50. Her name now sits next to Courtney Dauwalter in the race’s list of winners. More tight was the other positions in the podium as Claudia Tremps was suffering and Martina Klancnik was recovering fast the difference. But Claudia knows the race well and her body, could keep a little difference over the Slovenian. The podium was completed finally by Claudia Tremps (16:09:20) and Martina Klancknik (16:11:07), all 3 ran an amazing race with outstanding effort. Marlyne Nakache is 4th in 16:18:13.
The North Face Transgrancanaria was once again the incredible trail running event that it has become known for. The challenge, the competition, the experience, and the festival atmosphere will remain in the memories of those who played a part in one way or another. The 2025 edition is now history, the future awaits with the 27th edition of Transgrancanaria.
The incredible finish of Francesco Puppi and the second win of Jennifer Lichter, the Short Series resume
The Short Series by Gran Canaria World Trail Majors had its third appointment in The North Face Transgrancanaria Marathon, starting from the town of Tejeda at 1041 metres above sea level and finishing at sea level, lots of descending on the route, -2856 m, but a healthy dose of climbing with +1840 m. A total distance of 47.8 km, because marathons in the mountains are never a marathon.
The day was beautiful, the runners were ready, and the fastest were ready to fight through the rocky trails of inland Gran Canaria all the way to the coast. The most watched man was, without any doubt, Robert Pkemoi (Kenya, Joma Sport), earned by his two victories in the past two editions and looking for the hat-trick that from the start was obviously his goal. And the woman to beat was last year’s winner Jennifer Lichter (USA, The North Face).
Leading groups quickly formed, including Robert Pkemoi, Francesco Puppi (Italy, Hoka), Marcin Rzeszotko (Poland), Juho Ylinen (Finland, Hoka), Henri Aymonod (Italy, The North Face), Manuel Anguita (Spain) and Tiago Vieira (Portugal, Joma Sport) among others. The women’s leaders were Jennifer Lichter, Norway’s Sylvia Nordskar (Hoka) and Germany’s Daniela Oemus (Nike).
Up to the first aid station at 11.7 km with 1000 metres of ascent the gaps were minimal. By the time the runners got to the town of Tunte, ten kilometres further on, and a descent of 1000 metres, the field began to spread, leading the way were Robert Pkemoi follwed closely by Francesco Puppi for the men and Jennifer Lichter with Sylvia Nordskar just a minute behind and Celia Balcells (Spain, Merrell) 5 minutes apart.
By Tunte, ten kilometres further on and after a climb of 500 m and another sapping 1000 m descent, the leaders were Pkemoi with 2 minutes over Puppi with Adil Moussaoui (Morocco, Egari Trail), Marcos Ramos (Spain, Asics) and Henri Aymonod just 3 minutes behind the leaders. Still less than hlaf of the race in the pocket. In the women category Lichter and Nordskar were leading clearly with 10 minutes over Balcells.
The third and last aid station, Ayagaures included another 1000 m descent and the race looked stable: Pkemoi with a little advantage over Puppi and Moussaoui expecting a failure from the leaders. Also the women seemed to be a copy of Tunte aid station: Lichter, 5 minutes over Nordskar, another 14 over Balcells. The race would be decided over the next fourteen kilometres, ‘flat’ by mountain running standards with 240 m of ascent and 500 m of descent, a real time trial that kept the spectators in Maspalomas and those watching the live stream on the edge of their seats. Great athletes can make a difference, but great blow-ups are also possible.
Robert Pkemoi was leading, the spectators were not aware how close Francesco Puppi was from Pkemoi. In a demonstration of strategic excellence, Francesco Puppi ‘stealed’ the win just 300 meters to the end!!! Pkemoi was unable to react to Puppi’s change of pace and couldn’t secure the victory. What a finish! Francesco Puppi, “the strategist”, wins The North Face Transgrancanaria 2025! 3:26:33 was Puppi’s time, 18 seconds more for Pkemoi. Tiago Vieira completes the podium after 3:31:02. Marcos Ramos (3:31:36) and Adil Moussaoui (3:33:34) are the top 5.
Knowing the final kilometres, Jennifer Lichter saved her strength to win again in the race that brought her to the attention of the European trail running community in 2024. Finishing in a time of 3:59:42, followed by Norway’s Sylvia Nordskar at 8 minutes, with Spanish Celia Balcells in third place. Veronika Kalinina (Russia, Lidingöloppet) was 4th and Beatriz Parrón (Spain, Joma) 5th in Maspalomas.
A fantastic Short Series race following on from the Hong Kong 100 – The Half and Black Canyon Ultras 50K. Six different winners and the rest of the season to determine who will be victorious overall in the first edition of this new series.
Complete results and streaming replay The North Face Transgrancanaria
The North Face Transgrancanaria: Full Results
The North Face Transgrancanaria: Streaming
Upcoming races: Mt. FUJI 100 and MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail
A short break in the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors calendar to recharge your batteries because the next event is a double-header. At the end of April, two of the most iconic races share the same weekend in what promises to be exciting racing, a 12,000 km duel for points in the championship.
Mt. FUJI 100 takes place in the foothills of Mount Fuji, hosting yet another edition of one of the most iconic events on the world trail running calendar. The rugged Portuguese island of Madeira is where another legend has evolved, MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, in a special edition after the devastating fires of last summer, which has required massive amounts of time, effort and organisation to redesign large parts of the courses. From the 25th to the 27th of April, a double header (give or take the time zone difference) of the best in global trail and ultra running.
