HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® concludes its fifth edition with victories by Moana Lilly Kehres and Dominik Tabor

After five days of racing, more than 6,000 runners at the start lines from 83 different countries, and €73,500 awarded in price money, the fifth edition of HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® has come to a close. The weather played a significant role this week, forcing route changes across all distances to ensure the safety of participants, volunteers, support staff, and spectators.

Wednesday, July 2: Official presentation and Vielha 10K

The European Major kicked off on Wednesday, July 2 at 10:00 AM with bib collection and the opening of the Ultra-Trail® Village, which this year hosted 56 exhibitors, becoming one of the largest specialized outdoor expos in Spain.

At 6:00 PM, the official presentation of the event was held at the Ultra-Trail® Village, featuring some of the top elite athletes participating in the races as Mia Yao (UTMB® Index 793), Nadir Maguet (UTMB® Index 918), Andreu Simon (UTMB® Index 894), Yuanyuan Wu (UTMB® Index 702), Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon (UTMB® Index 860), David Hedges (UTMB® Index 857), Cristofer Clemente (UTMB® Index 854), Ricardo Cherta (UTMB® Index 867), Elisabeth Ríos (UTMB® Index 678), Dakota Jones (UTMB® Index 891), Nuria Picas (UTMB® Index 754), Sheila Avilés (UTMB® Index 752), Leonard Mitrica (UTMB® Index 880), Júlia Font (UTMB® Index 763), Christian Allen (UTMB® Index 871), Sylvia Nordskar (UTMB® Index 765), Dominik Tabor (UTMB® Index 871), Inés Astrain (UTMB® Index 745), Ikram Rharsalla (UTMB® Index 760), Alex García Carrillo (UTMB® Index 885), Elisa Desco (UTMB® Index 758), and Núria Tarragó (UTMB® Index 679).

An hour later, at 7:00 PM, the first edition of the Vielha 10K took place, a 10 km race with 600 m of elevation gain, created to honor the spirit of the event and those who make it possible: volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, and of course, the runners. Clement Génot and Belén Barés were the first to ring the bell at the fifth edition of HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB®.

Nadir Maguet and Miao Yao win the PDA

The PDA started at 7:00 AM on Thursday, July 3 in the village of Salardú. All bibs sold out in under a week, and 1,621 runners (294 women and 1,327 men) took the start.

After 52 km and 2,950 m of elevation gain, shortened due to storms, Italy’s Nadir Maguet was the first to cross the finish line in Vielha with a time of 4:52:06. Romania’s Leonard Mitrica followed in 5:00:16, and Pablo Bautista, winner of the 32 km EXP in 2023 and 2024, took third in 5:05:19.

In the women’s race, China’s Miao Yao, ranked 10th in the world, was the fastest, completing the course in 5:31:39 despite admitting she didn’t feel at her best. “I was very tired. The downhills were really tough”.

Norway’s Sylvia Nordskar came second in 5:36:29, and Spain’s Ikram Rharsalla took third in 5:47:02.

Baptiste Coatantiec and Mari Klakegg Fenre fastest in the CDH

Following the PDA, the CDH was held on Friday, starting at 6:00 AM in Les with 1,256 runners. Due to forecasts, the course was adjusted from its original 110 km with 6,400 m of elevation to 103 km with 5,775 m.

France’s Baptiste Coatantiec won in 10:53:36. Manuel Anguita came second in 10:57:16, and Oriol Barbany surprised with third place in 11:13:12.

In the women’s race, Norway’s Mari Klakegg Fenre dominated, finishing 15th overall in 12:31:45. Navarre’s Amaia Razkin Medrano was second in 14:12:08, and Elodie Pierre finished third in 14:24:05.

Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon and Laura Van Vooren conquer the VDA

At last, the VDA, the event’s flagship race, was held after two years of cancellations due to storms. The course was altered due to weather forecasts, reduced from 163 km and 10,000 m+ to 142 km and 7,250 m+.

France’s Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon rang the bell in 16:25:48, becoming the third-ever VDA champion. Argentina’s Santos Gabriel Rueda was runner-up in 16:53:56, and Arnau Seguí came third in 17:13:03.

Laura Van Vooren won the women’s race in 20:26:37, followed by China’s Yuanyuan Wu (20:38:22) and Romania’s Anva Cinde (22:11:23).

Álex García Carrillo and Rosa Lara Feliu win the SKY Master

At 10:00 AM in Pla de Beret, the 15 km SKY race began with 800 m of vertical gain.

Spain’s Álex García Carrillo won in 1:11:30, followed by Adrián Ivars (1:15:52) and Andrés García Blanco (1:17:30).

In the women’s race, Rosa Lara Feliu won in 1:24:43. 2024 winner Núria Tarragó came second (1:33:17), and Cristina García was third (1:34:19).

The SKY Promesas (ages 16–19) started at 9:30 AM. Flavien Brulin and Judith Soriano were the first across the finish line.

Meanwhile, the Trail Festival Baqueira Beret took place, offering outdoor fun for families and spectators, drawing a large crowd.

More than 100 children aged 8–16 participated in the Corsa des Sanglièrs, a 5 km non-competitive, untimed race. Children aged 4–12 enjoyed shorter youth races.

Dominik Tabor and Moana Lilly Kehres fly through the EXP

On Sunday, the EXP race began at 8:00 AM from the Ultra-Trail® Village in Vielha, with 1,061 participants.

Dominik Tabor blazed through the course in 2:28:18. “I loved this race. I really wanted to run in the Pyrenees. The atmosphere, the organization, the route... this event could easily compete with Chamonix,” said the Polish runner. Bruno Argüelles Diaz and Asier Labairu rounded out the podium in 2:36:08 and 2:41:45.

In the women’s race, Moana Lilly Kehres, third in 2024, took the win in 3:01:00. “Someone pinch me, this feels like a dream,” she said. Aina Cusi followed in 3:02:33, and South Africa’s Rebecca Kohne came third in 3:03:49.

A record-breaking edition of HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB®

This edition set records: the most participants in a trail running event in Spain, the highest prize money awarded, and proof of outstanding adaptability in challenging weather.

HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® ends its fifth edition, already looking ahead to next year, ready to welcome thousands of runners from around the world for another epic trail running week.