Elhousine Elazzaoui claimed the Golden Trail World Series (GTWS) Grand Final on Sunday, October 28, in Muju, South Korea, securing his third consecutive title and becoming the most decorated athlete in the circuit’s history.
The Moroccan won the 28.65-kilometer Muju Trail in 2 hours, 49 minutes and 14 seconds. The course, which features 2,313 meters of elevation gain, is among the most technical and demanding on the circuit.
Elazzaoui finished 43 seconds ahead of Kenya’s Patrick Kipngeno, while Kipngeno’s compatriot Timothy Kibett completed the podium a minute and a half behind the winner.
Third in the overall standings before the final race, Elazzaoui had to win to secure the title. The three contenders, including Kenyan leader Philemon Kiriago, were separated by just 46 points.
Racing in the rain, the Moroccan adopted an unusually aggressive strategy, attacking on the first climb toward the course’s highest point at an altitude of around 1,600 meters.
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Particularly strong on the technical descents, which featured stairs, rocks and wet leaves, Elazzaoui opened up a lead of more than five minutes over his pursuers before holding off Kipngeno’s late charge.
The Grand Final awarded 300 points to the winner, compared with 200 in a regular race. Elazzaoui collected 306 points in Muju, moving from third to first in the final standings with 1,130 points. He finished just two points ahead of Kipngeno, who scored 1,128. Kiriago, who placed 11th in the race, dropped to third with 1,075 points.
“Today, I gave everything. I knew I was taking risks (...) I even wrote ‘To be or not to be’ on my hands to remind myself that today was all or nothing,” the Moroccan champion said at the finish line.
“Winning three Golden Trail World Series titles is a record. For me, it is truly historic,” he added.
The victory was Elazzaoui’s fourth of the season, following wins at Zegama-Aizkorri in Spain, Ledro Sky Trentino in Italy and the Pitz Alpine Glacier Trail in Austria.
