So what makes this race so iconic? Firstly, the scale and the beauty of the scenery is something very special. Sierre-Zinal is known as ‘la course des cinq 4000’ because the runners get to enjoy views of five peaks over 4000m along the way (Weisshorn (4506m), Zinalrothorn (4221m), Obergabelhorn (4073m), Matterhorn (4478m) and Dent Blanche (4357m)).

It is also a race with a rich history. The first Sierre-Zinal took place in 1974 and over the years it has seen some prestigious winners, including Kilian Jornet (a record nine times), Anna Pichrtova (four years in a row), Jonathan Wyatt (who held the men’s record for many years), Ricardo Mejia (five times), Maude Mathys (four times) and Lucy Wambui Murigi (three times).

As well as the elite race, one of the things this race is famous for is mass participation. The ‘tourist’ race sees 2,000 runners set off in waves to experience this unique race and the atmosphere created by the Swiss locals in their communities along the way.

THE COURSE

Athletes start in Sierre at 560m and then climb up to the highest point at 2424m at Nava over the course of 24km. Then the final 7km is downhill, culminating in a frantic sprint through Zinal to the finish line at 1680m. One of the aspects that makes this race so tantalising from a racing perspective is that the route is so varied, with some fast, runnable paths, technical, narrow sections, Alpine meadows, open mountainside with no shade and road sections through villages. You need to be good at everything to win this race.

THE FAVOURITES

This race attracts top international fields every year without fail. And given the depth of the fields, we often see some breakout performances. It would be impossible to highlight all the athletes who have potential for finishing in the top 10, but here are some of the athletes to watch.

Women’s Race

In the women’s race we will see all of last year’s top five runners return. Sophia Laukli (Salomon) had an incredible run to win here last year, off the back of a string of strong performances, but was injured at the start of this season. Her fourth place at Marathon du Mont Blanc at the end of June suggests that she is recovering well and will be exciting to watch here. Joyce Muthoni Njeru (Atletica Saluzzo) was second here this year and is having a strong World Cup with two wins at Broken Arrow and fifth places at Grossglockner Mountain Run and Montemuro Vertical Run. Philaries Jeruto Kisang (Run2gether) completed the women’s podium here last year and we’ve also seen her on World Cup podiums this year at Grossglockner, Montemuro and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle.

In fourth place last year was Miao Yao (Salomon), who, with a recent third place at Mont Blanc Marathon, is strong on these longer races. Alice Gaggi (Brooks) rounded out last year’s top five and finished sixth at Giir di Mont two weeks ago.

As well as last year’s top five, we will also see the women’s record holder and four-time winner, Maude Mathys (Asics Trail) on the start line. Scout Adkin (HOKA) will also be hotly tipped after her recent wins at La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and Montemuro Vertical run. Americans Anna Gibson (Brooks) and Allie Ostrander (NNormal) will also be ones to watch, as will Camilla Magliano (Altra), who won the recent Eiger E35, Madalina Florea (Salomon), Julia Font (Brooks), Judith Wyder (HOKA), and Susanna Saapunki (New Balance), among others in this incredibly deep women’s field.

Men’s Race

In the men’s field, he may not be defending champion, having missed last year’s race (and come fourth in 2022), but it’s hard to bet against the nine-time winner, Kilian Jornet (NNormal). However, Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (Run2gether) will not be giving up his crown easily and is currently leading the 2024 men’s World Cup competition. The men’s runner-up last year was Patrick Kipngeno (Run2gether) and he will also be back to try to go one better, after winning both the VK and the Skyrace at Broken Arrow at the start of the season. Fourth and fifth in last year’s race were Sylvain Cachard (HOKA) and Swiss runner Roberto Delorenzi (Brooks), who both return this year.

Another Swiss runner who could well feature is Remi Bonnet (Salomon). He has finished in the top 10 here several times, with a third place in 2020 and has a string of high profile podiums on his running CV. Richard Omaya Atuya (Run2gether), our winner at Grossglockner and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle will be on the start line and will be an exciting athlete to watch. Josphat Kiprotich (Run2gether), winner of Piz Tri Vertikal and runner-up at Grossglockner and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle, could well feature, as could Xavier Chevrier (Asics), Paul Machoka (Run2gether), Joe Steward (Salford Harriers), Alex Garcia (Brooks) and Christian Allen (USA) among others. In addition in this deep field, Robbie Simpson (Adidas Terrex), always has a strong run here.

The elite race starts at 11am on Saturday 10^th August

The full start list can be found here.

Live tracking will be available here (ranking tab)