While awaiting more precise data, it is already clear that the CanfrancPirineos World Championship has generated a significant economic impact in the region, with 100% hotel occupancy during the week of competition and a direct effect on other sectors such as transport, hospitality, and retail.

The corridor formed by Jaca and Canfranc became, for two weeks, the economic engine of the entire region, with the arrival of thousands of visitors, along with athletes and staff, driving up consumer spending and further strengthening the CanfrancPirineos brand on a global scale.

A major contributor to this success has been the spectacular worldwide viewership of the livestreamed races in English, French, and Spanish. One of the organizers’ key goals was to position the Pyrenees as a global destination for trail running, and the daily race broadcasts have been instrumental in achieving that objective.

Fernando Sánchez, mayor of Canfranc, explained: “Our challenge was to host a World Championship tailored to the size of our town, but without limiting the capacity of the organization, the well-being of the athletes, or the international reach of the event.

Today, we can say we achieved everything we set out to do, and more—we’ve made this a more human, more personal championship, and that’s something the athletes have recognized and appreciated.”

Sarah Rowell, President of the WMRA (World Mountain Running Association), speaking on behalf of the global governing body for Mountain and Trail Running—formed by WMRA, IAU, and ITRA—highlighted that “thirteen nations have won medals, including some like Nepal and Canada for the first time, which demonstrates the global reach and growing depth of trail and mountain running.”

Rowell described CanfrancPirineos as having hosted an “outstandingly successful WMTRC25. We’ve enjoyed four days of thrilling competitions with the world’s best mountain and trail runners on the stunning and demanding terrain of the Aragón region in Spain.” She added, “Reading the messages of thanks from so many member federations as their teams travel back home around the world shows just how much their work has been appreciated.”

Alex Varela, Director of the World Championships, also emphasized the feedback from participating athletes: “Everyone praised the excellence of the Pyrenean mountains, the spectacular race routes, and the beauty of our landscapes. The level of competition has been the highest in history—we witnessed a sporting spectacle each day thanks to the effort, sacrifice, and dedication of athletes from all over the world.”

Now it is the turn of Cape Town, South Africa, which will host the World Championships in 2027. On the closing day in Canfranc, South Africa’s Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Bertha Peace Mabe, said:

“As we accept the responsibility of hosting the 2027 World Championships, we do so with humility, passion, and purpose. We are learning from the best—and having been part of the Observer Programme here in Canfranc, we have gained insights that will guide us in delivering an event that honours this legacy.”