Aizkorri snow 48 hours before Zegama

Mundo Deportivo reported on May 15 that the Aizkorri summit, one of the highest points on the Zegama-Aizkorri course, was snow-covered after a night of heavy rain and cold, 48 hours before the race’s 25th edition. The Spanish sports daily said images taken at 10:20 a.m. showed the ridge toward Aketegi white with fresh snow. (mundodeportivo.com) The report added that rain in recent days pointed to muddy conditions across the course on Sunday. Zegama-Aizkorri’s organizers have scheduled the marathon for May 17 and the Vertical Kilometre for May 15. ### Which part of the course had snow? Aizkorri, identified by Mundo Deportivo as one of the highest points on the course, appeared “completely” snow-covered on the morning of May 15, according to the outlet’s report from Zegama in Spain’s Basque Country. (zegama-aizkorri.com) The paper said the affected area was the summit that begins the ridge toward Aketegi. Josu Unzurrunzaga, cited by Mundo Deportivo, posted images on X at 10:20 a.m. that the outlet said showed the summit white with snow. Mundo Deportivo said people already in Zegama, including runners and media, had been struck by the view from the village. (mundodeportivo.com) ### Did organizers change any race plans before the marathon? The Zegama-Aizkorri Vertical Kilometre was shortened on May 15 because of adverse weather and a worsening forecast in the higher parts of the route, according to Mundo Deportivo’s report citing the event’s safety committee. The committee said heavy rain in recent hours, strong wind at altitude, low visibility and slippery ground drove the decision. (mundodeportivo.com) The modified Vertical Kilometre was due to keep its start in Zegama’s main square from 4:00 p.m. in individual time-trial format, but finish at the Itzubiaga hut instead of the original summit finish, the report said. The new layout was set at about 5 kilometers with 760 meters of ascent, versus the original route to Iraule at 1,520 meters and 1,015 meters of climbing. (mundodeportivo.com) ### When is the main race, exactly? The official Zegama-Aizkorri website said on October 9, 2025 that the 25th edition of the marathon would be held on May 17, 2026. The same notice listed May 15, 2026 for the 12th Vertical Kilometre and May 17 for the marathon and junior trail. (mundodeportivo.com) iRunFar reported on May 13 that the marathon would start on Sunday, May 17, at 9 a.m. local time. It described the course as a loop starting and finishing in Zegama and running through the Aizkorri massif over 42 kilometers with 2,736 meters of climbing. ### Why does snow matter at Zegama if the race is in May? The 42-kilometer course crosses high ground in the Basque mountains, and weather at altitude can diverge sharply from conditions in the village. (mundodeportivo.com) Mundo Deportivo said the combination of recent rain, cold and slippery terrain had already forced a safety-related change to Friday’s Vertical Kilometre. (zegama-aizkorri.com) iRunFar said course-record performances at Zegama have generally come in years with good weather rather than muddy conditions. The outlet described the route as highly technical and said the race is the opening event of the 2026 Golden Trail World Series. (irunfar.com) ### Who is due to race this weekend? The Golden Trail World Series said Zegama-Aizkorri would open its 2026 calendar on May 17. iRunFar said its pre-race coverage included interviews with Tove Alexandersson, Sara Alonso, Rémi Bonnet, Elhousine Elazzaoui, Daniel Pattis and Judith Wyder, identifying them as part of the event’s elite field. Zegama-Aizkorri’s official site said the 2026 event is the race’s 25th edition. (mundodeportivo.com) The organizers’ home page also said they had published start times for the Vertical Kilometre and viewing information for the marathon. ### What happens next on the mountain? May 17 is the next fixed date on the schedule, with the marathon and junior trail set for Zegama, according to the official race calendar. iRunFar said live coverage of the marathon was planned from 9 a.m. local time, while the Golden Trail World Series said it would provide live timing and live tracking for Zegama. (irunfar.com) (zegama-aizkorri.com) (goldentrailseries.com)