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The 2025 XTERRA European Trail Run Championship took place on November 8 in Collbató, Catalonia, during Montserrat’s Millennium celebration. Cloudy skies and a comfortable 18°C followed a night of steady rain, leaving the mountain glowing in the autumn morning light. “It was so beautiful, the color was perfect, and the atmosphere with people cheering and sharing this moment was amazing,” said Andreu Simon Aymerich (ESP), local athlete and 2025 European Trail Run Champion in the 22K Trail Half Marathon.
232 qualifying slots were awarded for the 2026 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Gozo, Malta. More than 1,000 runners from across Europe and the world competed within Montserrat Natural Park across three distances: the Trail Marathon, the Trail Half Marathon (the 37th edition of the Cursa de l’Alba), and the 12K Trail Run, each tracing the historic paths that climb from Collbató toward the monastery and the summit of Sant Jeroni, where the Benedictine Abbey has stood for a thousand years.
The 42K Trail Marathon held particular importance this year, authorized through the protected heart of Montserrat only as part of the Millennium celebrations, a rare route that showed just how much this mountain continues to connect its history with the people who move across it.
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Named the Marató de Montserrat, the Trail Marathon climbed from Collbató through ancient footpaths and steep stairways to Sant Jeroni before descending back through rocky and forested terrain to the village square.
In the women’s race, Itziar Oteiza Resano (ESP) won in 4:41:36, followed by Rosa Maria Nieto Zamora (ESP) in 4:56:08 and Wu Yuan Yuan (CHN) in 5:04:46. “It was my first time here and I really thought it was special,” said Oteiza Resano. “The course was spectacular, and I would recommend it to anyone who comes to Montserrat.” Wu finished roughly twenty minutes ahead of the rest of the pack, an amazing effort that stood out on the challenging course.
In the men’s race, Andreu Contijoch Culleré (ESP) won in 4:10:44, followed by Gerard Puigoriol Arnaus (ESP) in 4:16:12 and Gerard Morales (BHS) in 4:21:01. “All the people cheering made the atmosphere super fun,” said Contijoch Culleré.
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The Trail Half Marathon followed the 22K route of the Cursa de l’Alba, now in its 37th edition, climbing from Collbató through stone steps and forest trails toward the monastery and up to the summit of Sant Jeroni before descending back toward the village.
Dalia Alonso Pedreño (ESP) won the women’s race in 2:06:34, ahead of Irati Azkargorta Galarza (ESP) in 2:13:16 and Carla Ràfols Montiel (ESP) in 2:15:44. “It was a very cool race and one I hope to repeat next year,” said Alonso Pedreño.
In the men’s field, Andreu Simon Aymerich (ESP) claimed his eighth Cursa de l’Alba victory and his first XTERRA European Trail Run Championship title in 1:50:17, followed by Lluc Torné Solà (ESP) in 1:50:46 and Ricard Tenza Paloma (AND) in 1:52:11. “I’m super happy to share this victory with the community and all of my people,” concluded Simon Aymerich.
Full Results here.
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Montserrat rises northwest of Barcelona and stands as one of Catalonia’s most recognizable landmarks. At 1,236 meters, its peaks and forest trails form a natural arena for exploring one of the most authentic landscapes in Europe and the villages that surround it, including Collbató, El Bruc, and Monistrol de Montserrat.
Clara Bozzo Closas (ESP), who placed third in her 40–44 division, called Montserrat a “magic mountain,” a phrase that captured the feeling shared by many over the weekend. Richard Hardy (GBR), the 70–74 division European Champion, added to an already impressive year after also winning his age group at the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. “It’s a beautiful setting in the mountains of northern Spain,” he said. “What more could anyone ask for?”
Local rangers, volunteers, and organizers continue to protect the terrain that makes events like this possible. Trail maintenance, clean-up programs, and strict environmental limits ensure that the same mountain that challenges athletes is cared for by the community that calls it home.
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Collbató was the central hub of the weekend’s festivities. Locals met visitors with open hearts, showing why they stand behind an event that honors their traditions and heritage. By common consensus, this year felt bigger. The Millennium celebration, the XTERRA European Trail Run Championship, and full capacity participation across all three distances powered the atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Within that, the 12K Trail Run kept its role as the most inviting entry point. Families and friends took part together, locals continued to join in as they have in the past, and people gathered throughout the village to cheer on familiar faces, new challengers and the 2025 class of XTERRA European Trail Run Champions.
The 2025 XTERRA European Trail Run Championship took place on November 8 in Collbató, Catalonia, during Montserrat’s Millennium celebration. Cloudy skies and a comfortable 18°C followed a night of steady rain, leaving the mountain glowing in the autumn morning light. “It was so beautiful, the color was perfect, and the atmosphere with people cheering and sharing this moment was amazing,” said Andreu Simon Aymerich (ESP), local athlete and 2025 European Trail Run Champion in the 22K Trail Half Marathon.
232 qualifying slots were awarded for the 2026 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship in Gozo, Malta. More than 1,000 runners from across Europe and the world competed within Montserrat Natural Park across three distances: the Trail Marathon, the Trail Half Marathon (the 37th edition of the Cursa de l’Alba), and the 12K Trail Run, each tracing the historic paths that climb from Collbató toward the monastery and the summit of Sant Jeroni, where the Benedictine Abbey has stood for a thousand years.
The 42K Trail Marathon held particular importance this year, authorized through the protected heart of Montserrat only as part of the Millennium celebrations, a rare route that showed just how much this mountain continues to connect its history with the people who move across it.
Named the Marató de Montserrat, the Trail Marathon climbed from Collbató through ancient footpaths and steep stairways to Sant Jeroni before descending back through rocky and forested terrain to the village square.
In the women’s race, Itziar Oteiza Resano (ESP) won in 4:41:36, followed by Rosa Maria Nieto Zamora (ESP) in 4:56:08 and Wu Yuan Yuan (CHN) in 5:04:46. “It was my first time here and I really thought it was special,” said Oteiza Resano. “The course was spectacular, and I would recommend it to anyone who comes to Montserrat.” Wu finished roughly twenty minutes ahead of the rest of the pack, an amazing effort that stood out on the challenging course.
In the men’s race, Andreu Contijoch Culleré (ESP) won in 4:10:44, followed by Gerard Puigoriol Arnaus (ESP) in 4:16:12 and Gerard Morales (BHS) in 4:21:01. “All the people cheering made the atmosphere super fun,” said Contijoch Culleré.
The Trail Half Marathon followed the 22K route of the Cursa de l’Alba, now in its 37th edition, climbing from Collbató through stone steps and forest trails toward the monastery and up to the summit of Sant Jeroni before descending back toward the village.
Dalia Alonso Pedreño (ESP) won the women’s race in 2:06:34, ahead of Irati Azkargorta Galarza (ESP) in 2:13:16 and Carla Ràfols Montiel (ESP) in 2:15:44. “It was a very cool race and one I hope to repeat next year,” said Alonso Pedreño.
In the men’s field, Andreu Simon Aymerich (ESP) claimed his eighth Cursa de l’Alba victory and his first XTERRA European Trail Run Championship title in 1:50:17, followed by Lluc Torné Solà (ESP) in 1:50:46 and Ricard Tenza Paloma (AND) in 1:52:11. “I’m super happy to share this victory with the community and all of my people,” concluded Simon Aymerich.
Full Results here.
Montserrat rises northwest of Barcelona and stands as one of Catalonia’s most recognizable landmarks. At 1,236 meters, its peaks and forest trails form a natural arena for exploring one of the most authentic landscapes in Europe and the villages that surround it, including Collbató, El Bruc, and Monistrol de Montserrat.
Clara Bozzo Closas (ESP), who placed third in her 40–44 division, called Montserrat a “magic mountain,” a phrase that captured the feeling shared by many over the weekend. Richard Hardy (GBR), the 70–74 division European Champion, added to an already impressive year after also winning his age group at the 2025 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. “It’s a beautiful setting in the mountains of northern Spain,” he said. “What more could anyone ask for?”
Local rangers, volunteers, and organizers continue to protect the terrain that makes events like this possible. Trail maintenance, clean-up programs, and strict environmental limits ensure that the same mountain that challenges athletes is cared for by the community that calls it home.
Collbató was the central hub of the weekend’s festivities. Locals met visitors with open hearts, showing why they stand behind an event that honors their traditions and heritage. By common consensus, this year felt bigger. The Millennium celebration, the XTERRA European Trail Run Championship, and full capacity participation across all three distances powered the atmosphere throughout the weekend.
Within that, the 12K Trail Run kept its role as the most inviting entry point. Families and friends took part together, locals continued to join in as they have in the past, and people gathered throughout the village to cheer on familiar faces, new challengers and the 2025 class of XTERRA European Trail Run Champions.
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