Transvulcania Uphill Adidas Challenges Verticality With World Stars

La Palma Transforms: Transvulcania Uphill Adidas Challenges Verticality with World Stars

The Vertical Kilometer, now Transvulcania Uphill Adidas, starts the competition with a luxury line-up and the trail running elite.

The roar of the mountain echoes again in La Palma. This Thursday, May 7, 2026, the beautiful island will be the epicenter of world trail running with the starting signal of the Adidas Terrex Transvulcania 2026. The inaugural main course is Vertical Kilometerrenamed this year as Transvulcania Uphill Adidaswhich promises strong emotions from the idyllic beach of the port of Tazacorte. The event, at 6:00 p.m. (peninsular time), marks a milestone as it is part of the prestigious 27th edition of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup.

This year, the Transvulcania not only attracts the best, but it does so with a cast of world-class Kenyan runners who promise to raise the bar of the competition. Names like Philemon Kirago and Joyce Muthoni Njeru They will add unprecedented brilliance to the demanding vertical climb and Saturday's Half Marathon, also integrated into the WMRA circuit. The vertical race, a challenge 7.2 kilometers with a positive slope of 1,160 meterswill culminate in the Forest Turret of Time. Fans will be able to follow every moment live through the race's YouTube channel.

The inclusion of the Vertical Kilometer in the WMRA calendar is bombshell news for La Palma, as it will allow us to see for the first time a massive contingent of Kenyan runners display their power on the island. Among them, it shines with its own light Philemon Kiriagocurrent Classic World Champion and double winner of the prestigious Sierre Zinal. The Run2gether team runner is emerging as the big favorite in the men's category, accompanied by his teammates, Richard Omaya Atuya and Ephantus Njeri.

However, the competition will be fierce. The European vertical and World Cup specialists will not make it easy for you. In the fight for the top positions there are names such as the three-time Italian VK champion and eighth in the Canfranc Uphill World Championship, Andrea Elia. The swedish Martin Nilssonseventh in the Canfranc World Cup, the Irish Zak Hanna and the french Anthony Felber They are also among the contenders. At the international level, the presence of Romanians Gyorgy Szablocs Istvan, Andrei Ivanescu and Alexandre Focsaas well as New Zealanders Michael Sutton and Toby Batcheloradds more expectation. We cannot forget the North American Tyler McCandlessan athlete with an impressive record, including four participations in the Olympic Marathon Trials and a national runner-up.

The other major focus of attention lies in the ability of the powerful island and Spanish athletes to stand up to the world elite. These runners, specialists in vertical tests, have demonstrated their potential in previous editions, taking places in the top-5 and even getting on the podium. Names like Sergio Alvarezsecond in the Half Marathon last year; Alvaro Schoolfourth in The North Face Transgrancanaria Starter; Arezki Habibithird in 2023; Marco Rodriguezrecent runner-up in Spain in KV with the Canary Islands; Aythami Britofifth in 2025; and the veteran Efren Segundoare some of those who promise to wage war. Nor can we ignore Manu Anguitadespite not being a pure vertical specialist.

If the men's competition is exciting, the women's competition is not far behind. The presence of outstanding Kenyan runners, some of them experts in World Cup verticals, and the regulars of the Transvulcania KV predict an all-out fight. The African star is, without a doubt, Joyce Muthoni Njerutriple winner of the World Cup between 2021 and 2023, and winner of the Golden Trail World Series in 2024. Her compatriots from the Run2gether team, Philaries Kisang (double winner of Sierre Zinal), Ruth Gitonga Wakami (silver in the Canfranc World Classic) and Jedidah Chepkemoi (recent signing of the Austrian team), will test their supremacy.

But the Kenyans will not have it easy. They will face some of the best specialists in the world in vertical tests. The Italians Camila Magliano and Benedetta Broggiwinner of the Red Bull 3K and European KV champion respectively, are serious candidates. The Japanese Yuri Ikegamisecond in the ISF VK Open in 2025, the Romanian Ingrid MutterEuropean Skyrunning champion in 2017, and the British Natalie Beadle and Sarah Willhoit They complete a line-up of authentic luxury.

At the national and Canarian level, female participation is equally dazzling. The palm tree stands out Moana Lilly Kehreswinner in 2023 and current runner-up in Spain in KV. Along with her, true specialists in verticals such as Silvia Lara (second in 2025), Bel Calero (Spanish KV champion in 2024), Wake War (fifth in 2025) and Elsa Padron. It will be especially interesting to observe the performance of an athlete of the caliber of Julia Fontwho faces a distance and explosive discipline to which she is not so accustomed.

The Transvulcania Uphill Adidas It will begin on Thursday at 5:00 p.m. (local time) from the Port of Tazacorte. The 200 participants will start one at a time, with an interval of 30 seconds between each runner. The current test records are held by Stian Angermundwith a time of 47'22'' (established in 2017), and Maude Mathyswith 56'40'' (achieved in 2025). The expectation is maximum to see if these historic times will be surpassed in this edition.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

When and where is the Transvulcania Uphill Adidas held?

The Transvulcania Uphill Adidas takes place on Thursday, May 7, 2026, departing from the beach of the port of Tazacorte in La Palma.

What distance and gradient does the Vertical Kilometer have?

The race has a distance of 7.2 kilometers and a positive elevation gain of 1,160 meters.

Is the race part of any international circuit?

Yes, the Vertical Kilometer is part of the 27th edition of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup.

Who are the main favorites in the men's category?

Among the favorites are the Kenyan Philemon Kiriago, along with his teammates Richard Omaya Atuya and Ephantus Njeri. Competition from European riders such as Andrea Elía and Martin Nilsson is also expected.

And in the women's category?

The big favorite is the Kenyan Joyce Muthoni Njeru. Other riders to watch out for are Philaries Kisang, Ruth Gitonga Wakami, Jedidah Chepkemoi, and European specialists like Camila Magliano and Benedetta Broggi.

Is there notable Spanish and Canarian representation?

Yes, the Spanish and Canarian participation is of a high level, with names such as Sergio Álvarez, Álvaro Escuela, Arezki Habibi, Marco Rodríguez, Aythami Brito, Efrén Segundo, Manu Anguita in the men's category, and Moana Lilly Kehres, Silvia Lara, Bel Calero, Estela Guerra, Elsa Padrón and Julia Font in the women's category.

Where can you follow the race live?

The race can be followed live through the race's YouTube channel.

What are the current test records?

The current records are 47'22'' for men (Stian Angermund, 2017) and 56'40'' for women (Maude Mathys, 2025).

How many participants will start?

200 participants will start.

What will the runners' start be like?

Runners will start one at a time, separated by a time margin of 30 seconds.

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