Elhousine Elazzaoui claims his third consecutive Golden Trail World Series title
The NNormal athlete wins the Muju Trail Grand Final in South Korea, becoming the most decorated runner in the history of the series.
NNormal runner Elhousine Elazzaoui has made trail running history once again. The Moroccan athlete has been crowned Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) champion for the third consecutive season after winning the Muju Trail Grand Final in South Korea. The victory confirms his dominance on the international circuit and makes him the most decorated athlete in the competition's history.
Elazzaoui ended the season in the best possible way, winning the final race of the calendar in a thrilling finish that kept the title race open until the very end. With this result, he secured four victories in the 2026 GTWS, having also won Zegama-Aizkorri, Ledro Sky Trentino and Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail.
A decisive victory in the Grand Final
The Muju Trail Grand Final presented a demanding challenge: 28.65 kilometres and 2,313 metres of elevation gain, with rain, technical terrain and descents that required precision and confidence. Elazzaoui arrived in South Korea in third place in the overall standings, knowing he had to win to keep his hopes of claiming another title alive.
From the opening kilometres, Elazzaoui made his intentions clear. After an initial battle among the main title contenders, he launched a decisive attack on the first climb. By around kilometre 6.5, he had already built a lead of approximately one minute over his pursuers.
The technical descents, featuring steps, rocks and wet leaves, tested the runners' ability to maintain their pace and control every footfall. Elazzaoui used the terrain to his advantage, extending his lead and consolidating his position at the front of the race.
«I knew I had to win this race if I wanted to fight for the title, so I went all in from the start. The conditions were tough, and I had to stay focused at all times. Winning my third consecutive title means a lot to me. I'm really happy with the season we've had and to be able to finish it this way», says Elhousine Elazzaoui, NNormal athlete.
As the kilometres went by, the NNormal athlete continued to extend his lead over his rivals. In the closing stages, while the battle for the remaining podium places intensified, the Moroccan maintained control and crossed the finish line in 2:49:14, 43 seconds ahead of Patrick Kipngeno. Timothy Kibett completed the podium.
A title decided by just two points
Victory in Muju not only marked Elazzaoui's fourth win of the season, but also proved decisive in securing another Golden Trail World Series title.
The overall standings remained wide open heading into the final race. Although Elazzaoui started the Grand Final in third place, his victory propelled him to the top of the standings with 1,130 points. Patrick Kipngeno finished second with 1,128 points, while Philemon Kiriago ended the season in third place with 1,075 points.
The two-point gap between the top two runners reflects the intensity of a season in which every race and every segment played a decisive role.
With this result, Elhousine Elazzaoui claims his third consecutive Golden Trail World Series title, following his victories in 2024 and 2025. His achievements further cement the NNormal runner's status among the leading figures in international trail running, adding another chapter to his remarkable story in the series.
About NNormal
NNormal is an outdoor sports brand, born between the shores of Mallorca and the Fjords of Norway. The products reflect the common philosophy between Camper and Kilian Jornet, the two partners at the origin of NNormal: durability and performance, that inspire people to enjoy and respect nature. A mission expressed through timeless gear that's functional, performance-oriented, and built to last. All the outdoor equipment is designed in Mallorca and tested in Norway, as hinted in the name of the brand (Nor-way + Mal-lorca).
