The Mountain Running series continues in Palisades Tahoe this week.
After a short break in the calendar, the 2026 WMRA World Cup Mountain Race resumes in the United States for rounds six and seven of the series at the Broken Arrow Skyrace in Palisades Tahoe, California.
The competition will begin on Friday 19 June with the Ascent Race, the next uphill race of this year’s Tour, before athletes return to the trails on Sunday 21 June for the 23km, the next distance challenge of the World Cup season.
Broken Arrow has consistently delivered some of the most competitive and memorable racing on the World Cup calendar, and this year’s edition promises to be no exception. Both current World Cup leaders are set to compete in both races, joined by former champions, emerging talent and the deepest field assembled so far this season.
With valuable points on offer and demanding mountain terrain awaiting the athletes, the head-to-head battles in both races are expected to play a significant role in shaping the World Cup standings as the season enters its second half.
Broken Arrow is defined by more than its elite races. A cornerstone of the event’s growth has been a community-focused approach, exemplified by the Elite Athlete Housing Program. Each year, more than 75 elite runners are hosted by local Lake Tahoe families, many of whom are athletes or race volunteers. The initiative helps remove one of the biggest barriers international competitors face: the cost and complexity of race weekend accommodation. In many cases, these remnants turn into lasting friendships and support networks that extend well beyond race week.
The community-first philosophy is also reflected in Broken Arrow’s broader inclusion efforts. While not directly associated with WMRA World Cup racing, these initiatives form an important part of the event’s identity in mountain and trail racing. The race has developed policies and programs that support non-binary athletes, transgender athletes, adaptive athletes, and mothers and families with the goal of making one of North America’s largest mountain and trail running events more accessible to underrepresented groups.
In 2026, Broken Arrow is also raising the bar financially. The event has announced a total prize purse of $150,000 in its flagship races, including $30,000 for the winners of the 23km premiership, as well as $6000 for the Ascent champions and $4000 for the winners of the $46. It is a benchmark for independent trail and mountain running and reflects the continued professionalization of the sport while maintaining its core character.
The parameter provides additional meaning. Host of the 1960 Winter Olympics, Palisades Tahoe will sit in the heart of the mountain and trail running world for two consecutive weeks. Broken Arrow runs June 18-21 before TrailCon follows June 22-24, with the Western States 100 taking center stage June 27-28. Together, the three events transform the Olympic Valley into a gathering place for athletes, volunteers, brands, organizers and fans, connecting the history, present and future of sport.
THE ATTITUDE
The race starts at the valley floor and climbs 914 m (3,000 ft) over 4.8 km (3 mi) to the summit of 2,708 m (8,885 ft) Washeshu Peak. Along the way, it traverses brutally steep terrain that leads to the iconic Headwall Ridge and the “stairway to heaven” spiral staircase to the summit of Washeshoe Peak. Runners will experience steep rock slabs, snow and crevasse guaranteed to deliver an exciting race.
23 km long sky
The 23km long Skyrace has nearly 1,400 meters of elevation gain through alpine ridges, snowfields and technical descents. It starts in the village of Palisades Tahoe and most of the race takes place above the tree line on technical and demanding trails. Runners will be treated to views of the Granite Chief Wilderness, and they’ll experience Emigrant Pass, KT-22 and, like VK runners, the “stairway to heaven” stairway to Washeshu Peak. This race is part of the WMRA World Cup, which attracts many of the top names in the sport.
CHAMPIONS RETURN NEW FANS
Both the men’s and women’s current World Cup leaders will be on the starting line for both races. Michael Saoli (KEN, Run2Gether On Trail) and Joyce Mouthoni Njeru (KEN, NNormal) will be looking to strengthen their positions and both have strong form this year. Additionally, Njeru won the Skyrace last year and was second on the climb.
Defending champions and familiar faces will headline this year’s race, with last year’s Men’s 23k Skyrace winner Elhousin Elazoui (MAR, NNormal) returning fresh from his recent win at Zegama. Christian Allen (USA) and Anna Gibson (USA, Brooks), who won the 2024 Ascent, are also back to defend their crowns.
Notably, almost all the athletes who stood on the podium in last year’s climbs and 23km Skyrace will return to the starting line, with only Joe Gray missing from the line-up. On the women’s side, Gibson and Njeru will be joined by Madalina Florea (ROU, Scott) and Jade Belzberg (CAN), while the men’s field will feature Elhouzin Elazoui, Allen, Philemon Kyriago (KEN, Run2Gether On Trail), Patrick Kipnjeno (KEN, Run2G for Stage) in a series of high-profile rematches in the mountains.
The elite fields are packed with athletes aiming for podium finishes in both races. Making his Broken Arrow debut, Paul Machocca (KEN, Athletica Saluzzo) is set to do the double, running both distances at the weekend. Italy boasts a strong arm in Luca Merli (JOMA), while the United States will face a number of athletes capable of performing on the tight end of the competition, including Tyler McCandless, Caleb Olson and Liam Marrow.
The women’s races look just as enticing. Last year’s World Cup runner-up Valentin Jepkoc Rutto (KEN, Atletica Saluzzo) will also compete in both events, joined by exciting French talents Nelly Clement and Marie Nivet. Sarah Wilhoit (GBR, Rab/Scarpa) arrives in strong form after an impressive World Cup campaign, while Ninke Brinkmann’s (NDL) comeback continues in the 23km race. As in the men’s competition, the home nation is well represented, with Tabor Hemming (Adidas Terrex), Courtney Coppinger (Brooks) and Lauren Gregory leading a strong American contingent with podium ambitions.
FOLLOW THE ACTION!
The climb starts at 08:00 (PDT) on Friday 19 June, with the 23km Skyrace at 08:00 for the women and 08:20 for the men on Sunday 21 June. You can follow the action on the WMRA social media channels and follow along AW: website for coverage.
