The 2026 adidas Transvulcania, La Palma’s premier trail running event, kicks off this Thursday, May 7, at 5:00 p.m. at Tazacorte Harbor Beach, where more than 150 athletes will set off for the El Time Forest Tower in the Vertical Kilometer, the first event in a thrilling sports program.
The Transvulcania Vertical Kilometer retains its essence: a 7.28-kilometer course with 1,164 meters of elevation gain and just 102 meters of elevation loss, forming an almost continuous climb from the sea to the summit.
The start—staggered and in a time trial format—takes place at the beachfront in Puerto de Tazacorte (elevation 0), and participants climb the iconic GR-131 trail—traveling in the opposite direction of the Ultramarathon—through the El Time ravine to the town of Tijarafe. A true wall against which there is little room for strategy, where strength and leg power will make the difference. The awards ceremony will take place that same evening, at 9:00 p.m., in Puerto de Tazacorte.
Africa makes a strong showing in the men’s division
The 2026 men’s field will be a significant step up from previous editions, featuring a Kenyan contingent that has revolutionized the global mountain running scene in recent months. Philemon Kiriago arrives as the top contender for victory after winning the world title at the 2025 Canfranc Classic, where he demonstrated a rare ability to maintain extremely high paces on long, sustained climbs.
He is joined by two proven compatriots: Richard Omaya Atuya, the 2025 Canfranc World Championship runner-up, and Ephantus Njeri, both established on the European vertical kilometer circuit. The European contingent will be led by Sweden’s Martin Nilsson and France’s Anthony Felber, while the Spanish team will feature names such as Manu Anguita, Sergio Álvarez, Álvaro Escuela, and the 2025 Spanish Vertical Climb Champion, Alex García Carrillo.
In the women’s category: African power vs. European technique
The women’s race promises to be wide open and exciting. Kenyan Ruth Gitonga, winner of the first race of the 2026 Mountain Running World Cup held in Portugal and 2025 world runner-up, is one of the top contenders. Her compatriot Joyce Njeru and fellow specialist Philaries Kisang, winner of the 2025 Vertical Nasego, bring a climbing prowess that is hard to match.
On the European front, Italy’s Camilla Magliano—the 2024 World Masters champion and a regular on the World Cup podium—aims to break into the top ranks. Keep an eye out as well for Spain’s Silvia Lara, who finished second in this same event in 2025, and for internationally experienced runners such as Australia’s Lara Hamilton and Natalie Beadle, who are capable of seizing any opportunity to move up the rankings.
Going for the records
Last year’s race was a turning point. Italy’s Luca Del Pero won with a time of 47:59, coming within a hair’s breadth of the race’s all-time record. The star of the show, however, was Switzerland’s Maude Mathys, who put in a performance for the history books: 56:40, a new record and fifth place overall, ahead of many male specialists.
The 2026 field is poised to challenge the aforementioned Transvulcania adidas KV records. Norwegian Stian Angermund-Vik’s time of 47:22 still stands nearly a decade later, having withstood the test of time as entire generations of vertical specialists have come and gone—a clear testament to the course’s true toughness. The African contingent promises to attack it from the very first meters. The same will happen in the women’s category, where Maude Mathys’s record will pose a challenge for the athletes. Both records will be up for grabs tomorrow. The question is whether the 2026 generation will be able to rise to the challenge.
How to Track the KV
The organizers invite locals and visitors to come to the starting line to cheer on the runners as they begin a busy week of competition. For those who are unable to witness the start in Tazacorte in person, Transvulcania adidas’s own channels, as well as Canarias Play (RTVC’s new OTT platform) and RTVC’s sports channel on YouTube, will broadcast the Vertical Kilometer in its entirety.
La Transvulcania Adidas Terrex está organizada por el Cabildo Insular de La Palma a través de la empresa pública SODEPAL, con el apoyo del Gobierno de Canarias, a través de la Consejería de Turismo y de Promotur con su marca “Islas Canarias Latitud de Vida”, así como de adidas, Hotel H10 Taburiente Playa, Hotel La Palma Princess, Hotel Meliá La Palma, Fred. Olsen Express, Cicar, Spar La Palma, Coca-Cola, Libbys, Isola y Nutrinovex.