2025 Sierre Zinal Preview and Fantasy Picks

The 52nd edition of the Sierre Zinal trail race in Switzerland is set to take place this weekend. Prrevious race champions on both the men’s and women’s side will be showing up to throw down at what is OBJECTIVELY the most densely competitive trail race in the world.

Sierre Zinal always draws a frothy mix of elite trail runners and blazing fasrt road running speedsters/track stars meeting to throw down on the 31km (19 miles) course with 2,200 meters (7,200 feet) of climbing thanks to its generous treatment of elites with both accomodation, travel, and prize purses based on historically fast times.

No Kilian Jornet this year means the men’s side feels wide open (but is it actually?) and the women’s breakout star from last years race, Joyline Chepngeno, is looking to defend her title.

Tune in for help making your Fantasy Freetrail picks, if you love trail running, or if you just want to hear my voice (not entirely sure about that last one).

Articles mentioned in the podcast:

Article about the origins of Sierre Zinal and its founder by (I believe) Run the Alps Founder Doug Mayer

https://www.trailrunnermag.com/races/trail-race-news-races/le-coeur-avant-le-chrono-the-heart-before-the-watch/

IRunFar Article with Sierre Zinal Statistics by Mallory Richard

https://www.irunfar.com/sierre-zinal-a-data-driven-primer-on-the-iconic-mountain-race