World Trail Majors is a a diverse, respectful, sustainable and independent approach to trail running series. Trail running racing is a sport that takes place in the natural outdoor environment, with uncomplicated rules and free from the limitations inherent in many sports. World Trail Majors wants to maintain build on open and accessible ethos to help preserve the original values of the sport. Involving local organisations, respecting local communities and boosting local economies. The races must leave little trace on nature, but lifelong impact on the runners.

Rules of the series have been simplied as much as possible. Starting in 2024 with ultra races, for 2025 season we launched Short Series by World Trail Majors. Rules are almost identical and we will highlight what’s diffrent.

What is the objective depending on the type of runner?

For amateur runners, the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors can be seen as a “once in a lifetime” list of races, suggestions for your “bucket list” of events, but also all the races will be part of an annual ranking for those who have that competitive drive. For amateur runners – but also for the elite – they can be understood as races that you have to do sometime in your life, hence the slogan “Races of a Lifetime”. They are races that go beyond the racing challenge.

As an addition to the annual ranking system, we will also keep records over multiple years for runners who only do one race a year, this will create an ongoing leaderboard for all runners. You can check 2024 here.

For the elite, the World Trail Majors is about competing for glory. Prize money will be the reward for training hard and competing at the highest level. At the same time, we are sure some elites will “cherry pick” a race to suit their calendar and not be in for the series.

The Short Series by Gran Canaria World Trail Majors aims to accommodate those who enjoy shorter races or are taking their first steps into trail racing, from fast elites and experienced athletes, to runners who are new to trail. Younger, veterans, or women, all demographic groups who are less represented in long ultras. Race distances for developing runners as a stepping stone or for those who do not want to do longer distances. In short, the experience that is Gran Canaria World Trail Majors is expanding to more runners.

How many races will be scored?

We know the enormous physical demand that long distance races require and that is why it has been agreed that the sum of the two best results count for scoring in Gran Canaria World Trail Majors. Obviously, a runner can do as many races as they wish during the year, but we must consider the health and wellbeing of the runners. To be eligible for the series one race is enough.

The same is applied for Short Series by Gran Canaria World Trail Majors: even though recovery from shorter races does not take as long, only the two best results of the season will be counted, in order not to make them incompatible with other races and series. With the dates and geographical locations, it is relatively easy to plan races without long distance travel if you wish, although we will always invite you to try new experiences in other continents to get to know the diversity of trail running, one of the great beauties of this sport.

What is the scoring system?

Gran Canaria World Trail Majors will be using a hybrid scoring system. For most athletes, we will use the already established ITRA system, as they are the reference body for trail running.

Following conversations with the PTRA (Professional Trail Runners Association) we wanted a more predictable points system to make it fairer for comparison and ranking amongst elite runners and races. Allowing runners to easily calculate what position they must finish in a race for their final overall ranking. Therefore, the Top 20 in each race will be scored as per the table below and 21st onwards will be ITRA scoring. Short Series uses the same hybrid ranking system.

Chart of points according to finish position

Using this hybrid scoring gives us a “best of both” system because:

  • ITRA score is a simple, well known, tested and established system.
  • ITRA Performance Index is the official trail running world ranking recognized by World Athletics.
  • Points for each race are based performance at that race.
  • The ITRA algorithm is continuously reassessed so it improves race by race.
  • Elites can easily calculate where they need to finish to achieve a specific final score.
  • It is almost impossible to have a tie, see below.
  • Not in the control of World Trail Majors who cannot modify it at their convenience or according to their own interests.

Awards

Independently of the races’ prizes, the distribution of cash prizes for Gran Canaria World Trail Majors series is as follows for overall Male and Female rankings:

1st place: 12 000 €

2nd place: 6000 €

3rd place: 3000 €

4th place: 1500 €

5th place: 1000 €

For the Short Series by Gran Canaria World Trail Majors, overall Female and Male:

1st place: 9000 €

2nd place: 4500 €

3rd place: 2500 €

4th place: 1000 €

5th place: 750 €

(Prizes without having applied the taxes that each country determines)

What about in the case of a tie?

If there is a tie at the end of the season, something possible for elite runners, but almost impossible for amateurs, the rules are:

  • The runner with highest ITRA score achieved in a race will be placed ahead.
  • If still tied, the second hightest ITRA score would untie.
  • If runners are still tied, come on, this is almost imposible, we will flip a coin for the rankings, and the prize fund for their positions will be added up and divided equally, i.e. if 1st prize is 5000 € and 2nd is 3000 €. Each runner will receive (5000 + 3000) / 2 = 4000 €.

What performance index will be applied?

Likewise, to obtain an objective ranking of the elite runners, the ITRA Performance Index will be used as it is an independent scoring system, widely used and accepted, so it is suitable for the purposes of the World Trail Majors.

Will there be Age Group ranking?

Yes, runners will be ranked in age groups based on their age at the end of the year (31st December of the year of the series). Age groups will be:

  • Under 25 M/F (under 25)
  • Seniors M/F (25-39)
  • Master 40 M/F (40-49)
  • Master 50 M/F (50-59)
  • Master 60 M/F (60+)

Which races will be eligible?

From each event, the most emblematic are the usually the ones chosen for World Trail Majors. A “marathon” distance (between 30 to 60 km, approximately) are the ones chosen for Short Series:

  • Hong Kong 100: 103 km, +5314 m / 56 km, +2010 m
  • Black Canyon Ultras: 101 km, +1600 m / 52 km, +600 m
  • The North Face Transgrancanaria: 126 km, +6866 m / 47 km, +1840 m
  • Mt.FUJI 100: 168 km, +6254 m / 40 km, +1445 m
  • MIUT – Madeira Island Ultra-Trail: 118 km, +5935 m / 60 km, +2920 m
  • Swiss Canyon Trail: 111 km, +5294 m / 51 km, +2467 m
  • South Downs Way 100: 161 km, +3800 m / 50 km, +1200 m
  • Quebec Mega Trail: 137 km, +6000 m / 51 km, 2300 m
  • Grand Raid des Pyrenees: 165 km, +9874 m / 40 km, +3236 m
  • Vietnam Mountain Marathon: 102 km, +5500 m / 47 km, +2800 m
  • Grampians Peaks Trail 100 Miler: 162 km, +7700 m / 50 km, +2000 m
  • RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town: 98 km, +4972 m / 55 km, +2706 m.

What is the organization like?

World Trail Majors is a non-profit organization, as stated in its statutes. Each founding race has an equal share and each event participates voluntarily in the organization and can leave whenever they wish. Future additions to the World Trail Majors series are being considered and, we hope to add races in a way that ensures gradual and sustainable growth.

What’s Team’s League and how does it work?

We value teams, we value brands. They are part of the sport. Here at Gran Canaria World Trail Majors we want to give them some extra exposure. Gear, shoes, nutrition, electronic gadgets and, why not, running clubs or brands outside the sport. We welcome everyone and we want them to gain some more visibility. That’s why we created the Team’s League. The intention is to provide an opportunity for brands to promote their athletes and their brands as participants in a high profile, competitive, global league.

  • Nomination: At each race, teams must be nominated preferibly during registration. There is a limit to 6 on the maximum runners per team per race of whom at least 1 is female and 1 is male – and minimum team size would be 2 athletes of which 1 is female and 1 is male. Team manager can fill this form with all the data.
  • One team: A runner can only take part in one team per year.
  • Cost: There’s no registration cost for a team.
  • Scoring: The top 100 runners (in male and in female categories) can contribute points for their team. The 1st woman earns 100 points as does the 1st man. The 2nd woman earns 99 points as does the 2nd man. The 100th woman earns 1 point as does the 100th man. The winning team in each race is the team with the most points scored by its top 3 finishers (of whom at least 1 must be female and at least 1 must be male).
  • Winners and champions: Every race will crown a Team winner. Combining the results will crown the overall champions that will be the one with the most points from their highest-scoring 6 events.
  • Team manager commitment: The team manager of the winner team in each race will have to buy a beer (or other refreshment of her/his choice) for the race director.

One final note: In case of problems, errors, or unforeseen circumstances in these rules, a World Trail Majors committee will make the decision it deems most fair for the benefit of the circuit and the runners. The decision will be final and cannot be appealed.