Transvulcania Ultra Marathon 2026

My third time at the Transvulcania Ultra Marathon was a special one.

The first time was in 2019, when I finished 3rd in what was also my very first ultra marathon. The second time was in 2022, when I came back, took the victory, and achieved one of my biggest trail running dreams. For me, the Transvulcania Ultra Marathon is not only one of the most beautiful and prestigious races in the world, but also one of the most historic and special events in our sport.

That is why I am always excited to return to La Palma. This year, I came back with high ambitions and hopes of fighting for another podium finish.

Recovery from the Boston Marathon went well, and I felt myself getting stronger and stronger in the weeks leading up to the race. I traveled to La Palma just before race day together with Emelie Forsberg from Romsdalen.

From the start, I felt good and in control. Damien pushed the pace and opened up a gap, while I decided to stay with the pack and save energy for later in the race. The air was a bit cool, and the trails were crisp and firm. Normally, the sand in the first part of the course is quite loose, but this year the grip was excellent, and we did not have to constantly search for the hardest line.

When we reached the volcanoes, a small group of favorites was still together: Nadir, Ben, David, and me. Nadir and I ran together into El Pilar, about a minute behind Ben and David, with Damien still slightly ahead. I knew that the toughest part of the course was still to come, and my plan was to make my move there, get into the lead at the summit of Roque de los Muchachos, and hold it all the way to the finish.

When we started the climb from Reventón, I began pushing hard and caught David near the front at Pico de la Cruz. I tried to shake him off, but he would not crack. As soon as we hit the downhill, my legs were done, and I could not stay with him. I felt the victory slipping through my fingers, and it was a tough moment. But a podium finish is still an amazing result, so I had to stay focused and keep pushing all the way to the finish line.

The descent is incredibly long, and I was exhausted. At that point, I just wanted to reach the finish. When I hit the beach at Tazacorte, however, I was surprised to find that my legs still felt strong on the flat and uphill sections.

I could see Nadir closing in behind me on the final climb, but I felt in control and was able to keep pushing to the finish line. It was not a victory, but this second place felt like a huge relief, and I was incredibly happy with both the result and the performance.

When I looked at the clock, I could hardly believe the time: 6:41. That was 30 minutes faster than my previous best on the course, 40 minutes faster than my run in 2019, and even under the previous course record. David finished eight minutes ahead of me, while Nadir was only two minutes behind. Remarkably, all of the top six runners finished under the previous course record.

This was a major highlight for me and a great source of motivation for the rest of the season.

Thank you, Team adidas TERREX, for all the support.