Golden Trail World Series in Canada

The Golden Trail World Series will race in Canada for the first time in 2026, adding Quebec Mega Trail’s new 30-kilometer event to its eight-race calendar. The series said in its 2026 calendar announcement that it will visit eight countries across three continents from May to October, with Canada and South Korea joining the circuit for the first time. Canadian Running reported on May 21 that Quebec Mega Trail’s 30K race on July 5 will be the third stop of the season and the only North American event on this year’s Golden Trail World Series schedule. The outlet described the circuit as trail running’s short-course world tour and said the 2026 campaign could be one of its “wildest” years yet. (goldentrailseries.com) ### Which Canadian race is joining the series? Quebec Mega Trail announced in February that a brand-new 30K race would become the first Canadian event included in the Golden Trail World Series. Canadian Running said the race will take place on July 5 and slot into a lineup that also includes established stops such as Zegama-Aizkorri in Spain and Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland. (runningmagazine.ca) The official GTWS calendar now lists Quebec Mega Trail as a 32-kilometer race with 1,450 meters of elevation gain under the tagline “The beast of the East.” The calendar places it after Ledro Sky Trentino on May 24 and before Salomon Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail on Aug. 1. ### Why does the Canada stop matter on this calendar? The Golden Trail World Series said its 2026 season introduces three new venues and reaches two countries for the first time. (runningmagazine.ca) That makes the Quebec stop part of a broader expansion push, not a one-off addition. The 2026 series page says the season standings will be decided by an athlete’s best four results from seven regular-season races, plus the Grand Finale. (goldentrailseries.com) That format gives the Canada race direct weight in the title chase rather than making it an exhibition or regional add-on. ### What kind of racing does GTWS stage? Canadian Running described Golden Trail races as fast, steep and technical, usually around mountain-marathon distance. (goldentrailseries.com) The publication said that mix draws elite runners, recreational participants and spectators to compact, high-intensity courses. The official calendar reflects that profile. (goldentrailseries.com) Zegama-Aizkorri is listed at 42 km with 2,736 meters of climbing, Sierre-Zinal at 31 km with 2,200 meters of climbing, and Quebec Mega Trail at 32 km with 1,450 meters of climbing. ### Where does Quebec fit in the 2026 season? The 2026 World Series began at Zegama-Aizkorri in Spain on May 17 and is scheduled to continue at Ledro Sky Trentino in Italy on May 24. (runningmagazine.ca) Quebec Mega Trail follows on July 5 as the third stop before the circuit moves to Austria, Switzerland, Japan and China, then ends with the Grand Finale in Muju, South Korea, on Oct. 24. (goldentrailseries.com) The GTWS announcement said the season runs from May to October. The series’ “Where to Watch” page and race calendar are the main official hubs for schedule updates, rankings and event coverage as the Quebec stop approaches. ### Who is expected to show up in Quebec? Canadian Running reported in early May that Quebec Mega Trail’s 2026 edition had assembled a high-level elite field, helped by its place on both the Golden Trail World Series and the World Trail Majors circuit, with the Canadian Trail Running Championships also folded into the event. (goldentrailseries.com) The publication said spectators would be able to see some of the world’s top trail runners at the race. (goldentrailseries.com) July 5 is the next key date for Canada’s debut in the series. The Golden Trail World Series calendar lists Quebec Mega Trail as the third scoring race of the 2026 season, and the series rankings page will show how that stop affects the overall standings. (goldentrailseries.com) (runningmagazine.ca)