Sierre-Zinal 2026 Results: Kiriago Nets a Third Win, Florea Crashes the Party
So close to toppling a legend, yet again. This Saturday, August 8, for the 53rd edition of the Race of the Five 4000s, Philemon Kiriago covered the 31 km and 2,200 m of climbing on the Valais’ signature course in 2:26:24 — just 50 seconds shy of Kilian Jornet’s untouchable course record. A third victory for the Kenyan, who came within a whisker of reproducing last year’s all-Kenyan podium down to the exact same order. On the women’s side, Romania’s Mădălina Florea — until now mostly known for dominating the Golden Trail World Series — pulled off a surprise: her first-ever podium here, and straight to the top step, in 2:55:46, after a nail-biting finish.
Table of Contents
- Men’s Results — Kiriago Flirts with History
- Women’s Results — Florea Wins the Hard Way
- Full Results for Every Runner
- Keep Your Sierre-Zinal 2026 Forever with The Post Trace
- Historical Roll of Honour
- FAQ
Men’s Results — Kiriago Flirts with History
A navigation error mid-race could have wrecked the whole thing. Instead, Philemon Kiriago had just enough time to regroup and retake control, crossing the line in 2:26:24 — a mere 50 seconds off Kilian Jornet’s legendary mark (2:25:34, set in 2024). A third Sierre-Zinal title for the Kenyan, who held off Patrick Kipngeno by just 32 seconds after a proper slugfest on the heights above Anniviers. Behind them, Michael Selelo Saoli rounds out an all-Kenyan podium that replicates last year’s, position for position. On the home front, Switzerland’s Adrien Briffod was chasing a podium spot — it slipped through his fingers, but the local crowd got their money’s worth right to the finish line.
| Place | Last Name | First Name | Nationality | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 🥇 | Kiriago | Philemon Ombogo | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 2:26:24 |
| 2 🥈 | Kipngeno | Patrick | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 2:26:56 |
| 3 🥉 | Saoli | Michael Selelo | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 2:29:36 |
| 4 | Adkin | Jacob | United Kingdom 🇬🇧 | 2:30:49 |
| 5 | Kibett | Timothy | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 2:30:58 |
| 6 | Allen | Christian | United States 🇺🇸 | 2:31:13 |
| 7 | Machoka | Paul | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 2:31:55 |
| 8 | Castillo | Jonathan | Colombia 🇨🇴 | 2:31:58 |
| 9 | Omaya Atuya | Richard | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 2:32:04 |
| 10 | Rodríguez | Brayan | Mexico 🇲🇽 | 2:32:30 |
⭐ Course record (men): Kilian Jornet Burgada (Spain), 2:25:34, set in 2024 — still standing, by just 50 seconds this year.
Women’s Results — Florea Wins the Hard Way
For most of the race, Mădălina Florea played the chaser, before finally passing long-time leader Morven Goodrum to claim her first Sierre-Zinal win in 2:55:46 — and that’s despite a fall on the descent into Zinal. The Brit has to settle for 3rd in the end, pipped at the post by defending champion Caroline Kimutai, who takes silver just 46 seconds back. Another familiar face near the top: Switzerland’s Oria Liaci, 4th again this year, every bit as consistent as last season.
| Place | Last Name | First Name | Nationality | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 🥇 | Florea | Mădălina | Romania 🇷🇴 | 2:55:46 |
| 2 🥈 | Kimutai | Caroline | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 2:56:31 |
| 3 🥉 | Goodrum | Morven | United Kingdom 🇬🇧 | 2:57:15 |
| 4 | Liaci | Oria | Switzerland 🇨🇭 | 2:58:38 |
| 5 | Brinkman | Nienke | Netherlands 🇳🇱 | 2:58:55 |
| 6 | Gibson | Anna | United States 🇺🇸 | 2:59:22 |
| 7 | Gitonga | Ruth | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 3:00:11 |
| 8 | Gröber | Hanna | Germany 🇩🇪 | 3:02:03 |
| 9 | Chepkirui | Miriam | Kenya 🇰🇪 | 3:02:12 |
| 10 | Hottenrott | Laura | Germany 🇩🇪 | 3:03:32 |
⭐ Course record (women): Maude Mathys (Switzerland), 2:46:03, set in 2021 — still unbeaten.
Full Results for Every Runner
Want to look up your own split times or your ranking in your age category? On the Race of the Five 4000s (the long-distance format), 1,637 finishers made it to Zinal this year — 269 women and 1,368 men out of 1,791 starters. Full results across every category (race, tourist, junior, sprint) are online on Datasport, the event’s official timing platform — search by name or bib number.
👉 See the full official results on Datasport
Keep Your Sierre-Zinal 2026 Forever with The Post Trace
Five 4000-metre peaks in your sights, 2,200 m of climbing in your legs: that kind of achievement deserves better than a memory that fades. At The Post Trace, we turn your GPX track into a custom poster — your exact route, your name, your bib number and your finish time, printed on a design you build from scratch.
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Historical Roll of Honour
You can’t talk about Sierre-Zinal without mentioning Kilian Jornet, who still holds the course record despite gradually stepping back from start lines in recent seasons. On the men’s side, Philemon Kiriago is settling in at the top for good, with a third crown in four years. On the women’s side, a new name joins the roll of honour: after Maude Mathys’ long reign, followed by a run of Kenyan and American winners, it’s now a Romanian’s turn to have her name engraved on the trophy.
Men’s Roll of Honour (2017–2026)
| Year | Winner | Nationality | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Philemon Ombogo Kiriago 🏆 | Kenya | 2:26:24 |
| 2025 | Philemon Ombogo Kiriago | Kenya | 2:28:45 |
| 2024 | Kilian Jornet Burgada ⭐ | Spain | 2:25:34 |
| 2023 | Philemon Ombogo Kiriago | Kenya | 2:27:27 |
| 2022 | Andreu Blanes Reig | Spain | 2:29:19 |
| 2021 | Kilian Jornet Burgada | Spain | 2:31:44 |
| 2020 | Kilian Jornet Burgada | Spain | 2:33:15 |
| 2019 | Kilian Jornet Burgada | Spain | 2:25:35 |
| 2018 | Kilian Jornet Burgada | Spain | 2:31:39 |
| 2017 | Kilian Jornet Burgada | Spain | 2:33:06 |
Women’s Roll of Honour (2017–2026)
| Year | Winner | Nationality | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Mădălina Florea 🏆 | Romania | 2:55:46 |
| 2025 | Caroline Kimutai | Kenya | 2:55:31 |
| 2024 | Joyline Chepngeno | Kenya | 2:54:06 |
| 2023 | Sophia Laukli | United States | 2:53:17 |
| 2022 | Maude Mathys | Switzerland | 2:52:32 |
| 2021 | Maude Mathys ⭐ | Switzerland | 2:46:03 |
| 2020 | Maude Mathys | Switzerland | 2:48:48 |
| 2019 | Maude Mathys | Switzerland | 2:49:20 |
| 2018 | Lucy Wambui Murigi | Kenya | 2:57:54 |
| 2017 | Lucy Wambui Murigi | Kenya | 2:58:40 |
👉 SEE THE FULL ROLL OF HONOUR SINCE 1974
FAQ — Sierre-Zinal 2026
Who won Sierre-Zinal 2026 in the men’s race?
Kenya’s Philemon Ombogo Kiriago won in 2:26:24, claiming his third title on the course, just 50 seconds shy of Kilian Jornet’s record.
Who won Sierre-Zinal 2026 in the women’s race?
Romania’s Mădălina Florea won in 2:55:46, her first-ever victory on the course, despite a fall on the descent into Zinal.
What is the Sierre-Zinal course record?
On the men’s side, the record belongs to Kilian Jornet in 2:25:34 (2024). On the women’s side, it’s held by Maude Mathys in 2:46:03 (2021). Neither was broken in 2026.
How many runners took part in Sierre-Zinal 2026?
On the Race of the Five 4000s (the long-distance format), 1,637 finishers crossed the line, including 269 women and 1,368 men, out of 1,791 starters.
Where can I find my personal results?
All individual results are available on Datasport, the event’s official timing platform.
When is the next edition of Sierre-Zinal?
The exact date for Sierre-Zinal 2027, the 54th edition, had not yet been officially announced at the time of writing. The race is traditionally held on the first Saturday of August.
