The wait is over. The 2026 WMRA Mountain Running World Cup gets underway this weekend, launching what promises to be the most spectacular season in the competition's 27-year history. 16 races, 10 countries, four continents, and months of breathtaking racing ahead.

From the mountains of Central Portugal to the peaks of Austria, Switzerland and beyond, the world's finest mountain runners will battle it out across some of the most dramatic landscapes on the planet. China, Spain, North America, Italy, Poland and Canada all feature on a calendar that spans the globe and showcases the full, thrilling range of the sport.

But before all of that, Portugal. This Sunday, the curtain goes up with São Brás Cross in the Castro Daire region, and the 2026 season will begin in style, fittingly supported by Turismo Centro de Portugal – “MOVE CENTRO DE PORTUGAL – THE SPORTS REGION,” official sponsor of the Classic Up & Down category of the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup 2026.

NORCHA® is back in 2025 with a unique experience in Portugal, crossing the Douro Valley region, 500km, 4 days non-stop, featuring 2 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

NORCHA® is a multi-sport event where mixed teams of 4 members must cover approximately 500 km, for a maximum of 4 days without stopping. In 2025, the mission is to cross and get to know the Douro region, made up of 19 municipalities: Alijó, Armamar, Carrazeda de Ansiães, Freixo de Espada à Cinta, Lamego, Mesão Frio, Moimenta da Beira, Murça, Penedono, Peso da Régua, Sabrosa, Santa Marta de Penaguião, São João da Pesqueira, Sernancelhe, Tabuaço, Tarouca, Torre de Moncorvo, Vila Nova de Foz Côa e Vila Real.