Trail Running Awards 2025: Discover all the winners
The complete list of winners for the second edition of the Trail Running Awards was unveiled on Tuesday, December 9, at the Imperial Palace in Annecy. The ceremony honored the athletes, brands, and initiatives that made their mark in 2025, highlighting steady progress toward greater inclusion, sustainability, and performance in the trail running ecosystem.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Start-up of the Year: Valone
Valone stood out by offering a new approach to footwear, focused on responsibility and sustainability. The company impressed the jury by proving that technical performance and durability are not mutually exclusive. Valone was particularly noted for its commitment to the repairability of its trail shoes, offering replacement of key components such as the sole.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Communication Campaign of the Year: SPK
The SPK agency was recognized for its highly original and creative activation campaign during the UTMB Mont-Blanc. The "La Laverie by runpack." was cited for its ability to stand out in a saturated competitive environment. By transforming an everyday location into an editorial and meeting hub, the initiative enabled partner brands to express themselves with a strong return on investment and privileged human contact.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Product of the Year: Feelfree Seamless Bra by Compressport
Compressport receives the Product of the Year award for the Feelfree Seamless Bra. This technical product, which is the result of development led by, with, and for women, is considered a success. The jury emphasized that its impact goes beyond comfort, as it contributes concretely to the development and ease of women's trail running.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Service of the Year: Trail Running School
École de Trail was recognized for its mission to structure and make trail running accessible to as many people as possible. The organization's actions have a direct impact on practitioners, but also on teachers. The jury highlighted École de Trail's essential contribution to teaching and promoting a rapidly growing sport.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Environmental Initiative of the Year: Protect Our Winters
Protect Our Winters (POW) was recognized for developing My Event Impact. The jury highlighted the effectiveness and usefulness of this free, simple, and practical tool, which serves the community. This tool allows race organizers to take control of their events and actively engage in their CSR program, thereby democratizing the measurement of environmental impact.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Social Initiative of the Year: Alpine Outdoor Club
The Alpine Outdoor Club has been recognized for its project "From Asphalt to Summit – Trail & Inclusion Academy." The jury praised this concrete and inclusive initiative, which uses trail running as a powerful lever for social integration among young people. By dedicating itself to young people from priority neighborhoods, the Club Outdoor Alpin is building the future of trail running by making it accessible and positioning it as a tool for empowerment.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Team of the Year: Asics
The ASICS Fuji Trail team has been hailed as a true family that embodies the brand's commitment to the segment. The jury highlighted the team's success, marked by a double victory at the UTMB, impressive versatility and diversity of profiles, but also by a strategy of direct contact with practitioners. This award recognizes ASICS' field activation approach, particularly with the Fujitrail Camp, which focused on an immersive product experience and proximity to runners at the heart of alpine events.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Achievement of the Year: Rémi Bonnet (Switzerland/Salomon) and Axelle Mollaret Gachet (France/La Sportiva)
These two athletes have pushed the limits of short, intense effort. Rémi Bonnet and Axelle Mollaret Gachet were rewarded for both breaking the vertical kilometer record this year. These two performances illustrate the technicality and increasing speed of the discipline.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Male Athlete of the Year: Jim Walmsley (United States/Hoka)
Jim Walmsley stood out for his versatility. The athlete strategically built his season around the world championships, managing to deliver a high-level performance while maintaining a notable presence in races of various formats throughout the year. This award honors the American's approach, synonymous with discipline and excellence on the circuit.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
Female Athlete of the Year: Ruth Croft (New Zealand/Terrex Adidas)
The jury praised Ruth Croft's exceptional performance and outstanding season, stating that her victory at the UTMB Mont-Blanc was the logical outcome of her commitment and meticulous preparation. The New Zealander thus confirmed her status as a world leader in ultra-distance running, crowning a year of impressive consistency.
Photo - Anthony Arbet / Mile & Stone
