GARDA TRENTINO, ITALY. Lauren Gregory (USA – Nike ACG) claimed her second victory in the 2025 Golden Trail World Series (GTWS), delivering a brilliant performance at the Ledro Sky Trentino Grand Finale, held on a 21-kilometer course with 1,600 meters of elevation gain. Meanwhile, Madalina Florea (Romania – Scott Running), after her win in yesterday’s prologue and her second place today, held onto the overall lead and was crowned overall series champion.
Before the race, Florea had made her intentions clear: she would set a strong pace from the start — and she did. From the start, she took the lead of the pack, not looking back through the opening flat kilometers with stunning views over Lake Ledro. On the climb toward Cima Pari, the race’s highest and most iconic point, the Romanian continued to push her rhythm. Joyce Njeru (Kenya – Nnormal), Sara Alonso (Spain – Asics), and Gregory stayed close behind, waiting for their moment to come on the descent.
| “When I passed Madalina, I still felt strong for the downhill, so I thought I could hold the pace,” Gregory said at the finish line. With this victory, the American concludes the season third in the overall standings. In tears, Florea crossed the line in second place, knowing she had secured the 2025 GTWS title and capped off a remarkably consistent season that confirms her as one of today’s top trail runners. “At the beginning of the race, something didn’t feel right in my body — maybe an insect bite — I couldn’t feel my leg. But I’m really happy with the result and with all the people who support me, including family and friends. Now I just want to enjoy this day,” she said at the finish. |
| Completing the top five were Alonso, a surprising Lucija Krkoc (Slovenia) competing in the open category, and Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon). The season thus concludes with Florea taking the overall victory, followed by Alonso and Gregory. Women’s race results1. Lauren Gregory (USA – Nike ACG) – 02:22:512. Madalina Florea (Romania – Scott Running) – 02:25:223. Sara Alonso (Spain – Asics) – 02:25:544. Lucija Krkoc (Slovenia) – 02:27:00 (Open Category)5. Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon) – 02:27:456. Barbora Bukovjan (Czech Republic) – 02:27:46 (Open Category)7. Rosa Lara Feliu (Spain – Compressport) – 02:28:378. Joyce Njeru (Kenya – Nnormal) – 02:29:199. Marie Nivet (France – Nike ACG) – 02:33:5910. Anna Gibson (USA – Brooks) – 02:35:40 Women’s overall standings1. Madalina Florea (Romania – Scott Running) – 958 points2. Sara Alonso (Spain – Asics) – 913 points3. Lauren Gregory (USA – Nike ACG) – 878 points4. Malen Osa (Spain – Salomon) – 849 points5. Joyce Njeru (Kenya – Nnormal) – 836 points6. Rosa Lara Feliu (Spain – Compressport) – 753 points7. Marie Nivet (France – Nike ACG) – 710 points8. Anna Gibson (USA – Brooks) – 709 points9. Alice Gaggi (Italy – Brooks) – 669 points10. Courtney Coppinger (USA – Brooks) – 660 points |
| The action continues tomorrow, Sunday, with the men’s race (12:00 p.m.), where Elhousine Elazzaoui (Morocco – Nnormal) will defend his lead after his prologue win on Friday. The race will be broadcast live on HBO Max, Eurosport, discovery+, and TNT Sports. For more information about the GTWS, visit: www.goldentrailseries.com |
Image courtesy of Golden Trail Series