The Classic format embraces both the climb and descent equally, remaining a core and historic part of this global event since it earned its own identity at Edinburgh 1995. The event’s hall of fame is still dominated by the legendary Italian Marco de Gasperi, who was World Classic Up & Down Champion in 1997, 1999, 2001, 2003, and 2007.
WMTRC CanfrancPirineos 2025 Classic: A course made for flying
The 2025 Spanish Championships held in June at Canfranc featured the Classic race on the same course that will host this year’s World Championships. Jan Torrella and Onditz Iturbe were crowned national champions after a race run at a blistering pace.
Torrella unleashed a brutal gear shift on the second lap to win in 1:05:25, followed by Álex García (2nd) and Ibai Larrea (3rd). In the women’s race, Iturbe launched a determined comeback on the second lap to take gold, ahead of Claudia Estévez—making her mountain running debut—who claimed bronze and secured her spot for the World Championships.
This race was the final stepping stone before the global showdown in September, gathering a record-breaking 639 athletes, broadcast live via LaLiga+ and RFEAtv, showcasing the strength of Spanish trail running.
GRAYSON MURPHY: Double World Champion and Canfranc Classic Record Holder
Among the folds of this sport’s rich history, Grayson Murphy emerges as a trailblazer in running shoes. The journey of this young engineer from Montana is more than a timeline—it’s a whirlwind of effort, mud, snow, and heart.
She is the global icon of the Classic discipline in recent years, winning two World Championships in Patagonia 2019 and Innsbruck 2023, and setting the course record at the Canfranc Classic during the 2021 World Cup, where she laid down a staggering benchmark that even Kenyan legend Joyce Njeru couldn’t surpass in her two subsequent wins.
Murphy has chosen the 2025 CanfrancPirineos World Championships to make her debut in the Mountain Marathon. After securing her spot by winning the U.S. Marathon Trials, she shares her memories of Patagonia, Innsbruck, and Canfranc, as well as her hopes for competing in Spain.
Grayson, how would you introduce yourself to those who don’t know you yet?
I studied Civil Engineering at the University of Utah and was fully focused on becoming an Olympian in the 3,000m steeplechase (I placed sixth at the U.S. Trials) when I discovered mountain running. It was a revelation. I decided that’s what I wanted to focus on as an athlete. That said, I still enjoy flying on the roads and try to balance both worlds. After getting married, we moved to Montana and I’ve even tried local cross-country ski races.
I once tried to enter Zegama, but the organization didn’t have a bib for me, so my first mountain marathon ended up being the U.S. Trials for the 2025 CanfrancPirineos World Championships. Thankfully, everything went well, and I earned my spot. Since then, I’ve run a second alpine marathon at the Speedgoat 50k to continue learning how to run for up to six hours in the mountains.
What are your memories of your 2019 World Championship gold in Villa La Angostura?
The weather was horrible—rain, wind, and mud. I pushed hard from the start and never saw anyone around me. It felt a bit strange to be running alone through the storm. I eased off slightly toward the end but still won comfortably. I crossed the line in 1:15:20, and just twelve seconds later, Élise Poncet came in—I was stunned, I had no idea she was that close. Philippa Williams rounded out the podium in 1:16:45.
Unfortunately, I was dealing with an injury when Thailand 2022 came around and had to withdraw from trials, which made me even hungrier to return in 2023.
How did it feel to return to the top at Innsbruck 2023?
The 2023 Classic course was unique, with a major pure climb section. I also ran the Uphill World Championship days before, which was great training to adapt both mentally and physically to the steep terrain. I ended up taking bronze there—totally unexpected, and I was thrilled.
When the Classic race came, I was surprised by Tove Alexandersson’s attack—she flew past me on the first descent. I thought: “I see you, girl… get ready, there’s a whole lap left.” I told myself if she’s still up there later, I’ll respect it—but I’m going to make her suffer to stay ahead.
I went all out on the next climb and managed to drop her. I have great memories of that battle. I won my second Classic world title in 1:04:29, nearly a minute ahead of Tove. I was so motivated after four years away from Worlds. Joyce Njeru came in more than two minutes later.
What do you remember from your 2021 Canfranc Classic win and course record?
I have great memories of those days exploring the Aragonese Pyrenees. As a runner, I’ll never forget the brutal climbs up La Moleta—that’s burned into my mind for the Marathon.
I chose the Marathon because I think it’s fun to step out of your comfort zone and chase new challenges—and new rivals. Also, due to some past health issues, the type of training required for the marathon suits me better now.
It’s going to take me about three times as long as the Classic race, so I’ve been training with more volume at lower intensity. Last week, I actually ran more volume than ever in my life.
CanfrancPirineos 2025 Classic: A Fast and Furious Mountain
From the Patagonian peaks to the Alpine slopes, and through the magic of Canfranc in the Pyrenees, Mountain Running Classic has become a story of evolution, grit, and wild beauty. A format that keeps growing, diversifying, and becoming the dream destination for those who run with reckless rhythm and a full heart.
CanfrancPirineos 2025 will be the next great chapter, drawing the world’s elite to this Pyrenean stronghold.
A grand stage where the noise and fury of the world’s best will come flying past us, risking it all both in the punishing climbs and the wild descents—following in the footsteps of Jan Torrellas and Onditz Iturbe, who were crowned Spanish champions here just months ago.
SERGIO MAYAYO | Press Office Manager, WMTRC 2025