SIERRE-ZINAL 2026 PREVIEW: BLANES RETURNS, DIGGINS CROSSES OVER

Organizers have published the invited elite start lists for the August 8 mountain race from Sierre to Zinal, and the confirmed names already include a former champion and one of winter sport's biggest stars. The 2026 Sierre-Zinal covers 31 kilometers with 2,200 meters of climbing through the Swiss canton of Valais. Elite women start at 10:30, elite men at 11:00, and the first finishers are expected in Zinal from 13:25.

The race invites roughly 100 elite runners per edition and is a fixture on the Golden Trail World Series calendar. Organizers set the performance benchmark for invitations at 2:50 for men and 3:20 for women.

Men's Field

Andreu Blanes is the biggest name among the confirmed men. The Spaniard, who races for Salomon, won the 2022 edition in 2:29:19. Rémi Bonnet of Switzerland, another Salomon runner, is also entered.

The list carries depth from across the sport. Christian Allen of the United States is listed with Nike ACG, Sylvain Cachard of France with Hoka, and Jacob Adkin of Britain with New Balance. Italy's Henri Aymonod, Switzerland's Martin Anthamatten and Adrien Briffod, and Kenya's Richard Omaya Atuya are all confirmed. Gabin Ageron and Killian Allaire of France, Spain's Roberto Alaiz and Marc Bernades, and Jules Barriod, a French runner born in 2005, fill out the early pages of a list that runs far deeper.

Recent history sets the bar. Philemon Kiriago of Kenya won the 2023 edition in 2:27:27 and the 2025 edition in 2:28:45, the two fastest winning times since the course record was set.

Women's Field

Nienke Brinkman of the Netherlands headlines the confirmed women. Sara Alonso of Spain is entered with ASICS, Caitlin Fielder of New Zealand with adidas Terrex, and Natalie Beadle of Britain with Arc'teryx. Chi Lingjie of China races for Salomon, and Italy lists Fabiola Conti and Alice Gaggi.

The most striking name on the list is Jessie Diggins. The American, born in 1991, built her career as an Olympic champion cross-country skier and now appears on the invited elite list. Skiers have crossed over here before. Sophia Laukli, an American who raced on the World Cup ski circuit, won the 2023 edition in 2:53:17.

Joyline Chepngeno of Kenya won the 2024 race in 2:54:06. Maude Mathys of Switzerland took four straight titles from 2019 through 2022 and still holds the women's course record.

The Records

Kilian Jornet's men's course record of 2:25:35 has stood since 2019. Maude Mathys set the women's mark of 2:46:03 in 2021. No winner has come within a minute of either record since they were set, which makes the depth of the 2026 entry lists the main storyline of race week.

The Course

The route climbs out of the Rhone valley at Sierre and works its way to the mountain village of Zinal. The race takes its identity from the five 4,000-meter peaks that stand over the course, and it has crowned winners since 1974, a history traced in our history of Sierre-Zinal.

The elite women go off at 10:30 on August 8, with the men starting 30 minutes behind. The prize ceremony follows in Zinal at 16:45.