The XTERRA Trail Run World Championship heads to Gozo Island in Malta on May 9, 2026. It is a destination known for its striking coastal landscapes. World titles in the Trail Half Marathon and Trail Marathon will be awarded to top performers from the XTERRA Trail Run World Series. Meanwhile, open events invite families, local communities, and visitors from all corners of the planet to take part.
“I love most that you get to run around the perimeter of the island. It feels like such a destination event.” Jemima Farley (GBR), the reigning XTERRA Trail Run World Champion in her age group, remains unbeaten on Gozo in the last two editions. “Many runners in Malta look forward to it all year. It’s extremely popular and has a very loyal following. The views are incredible and the rugged cliffs take my breath away every time I see them.”
This will be the 17th XTERRA Trail Run World Championship. It is the fifth location to host the event since its inception in 2008.
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Defined by Discovery
Circumnavigating the coastline of Gozo offers a rare chance to run and explore an entire island. Though only about 14 kilometers across, the terrain delivers a true challenge. It includes coastal paths, sheer cliffs, quiet valleys, and historic villages, revealing Gozo’s character step by step.
Gozo is the second largest island in the Maltese archipelago. It is connected to Malta by a short ferry ride across the Gozo Channel. Gozo is home to the Ġgantija temples, built around 3600 BC and older than Stonehenge or the Egyptian pyramids. The island is part of a cultural legacy shaped by millennia of Mediterranean influence.
XTERRA Gozo has been held five times since 2021. It is supported by local Gozitans who take genuine care in welcoming runners and their families. “We are proud to host the global trail running community in Gozo next year. Gozo is a race organised by athletes for athletes, and we deeply value the participants’ experience.” Nathan Farrugia, Race Director, XTERRA Gozo Trail Run.
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Connecting the World
“For more than a decade after its debut in 2008, the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship found its home at Kualoa Ranch in Hawaii,” said Kostas Koumargialis, Managing Director, EMEA and Global Event Strategy. “It then moved to Maui in 2021, followed by Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine in 2023 and 2024, then Eryri National Park in Wales in 2025. Each location has helped expand the global reach and competitive legacy of this event.”
“The XTERRA Trail Run World Series, launched in 2022, connects events across the Americas, Europe, and Asia-Pacific into one pathway to the championship,” Koumargialis continued. “It has created an authentic global journey. Runners come together from different backgrounds and racing cultures to share the same challenge.”
“Gozo offers everything a world championship destination should,” noted Landry Benoit, APAC Technical Director. “A coast hugging trail shaped by elevation changes, cliff drops, hidden bays, and hilltop churches to fortified citadels add historic character to every kilometre. XTERRA first arrived in Malta in 2015. Since the XTERRA Gozo Trail Run began in 2021, the nation has shown a true connection to outdoor sport and to the athletes who travel here. Gozo is a place ready to welcome the world.”
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Welcome to Gozo
Traveling from Malta to Gozo offers a smooth experience for visiting athletes. Malta International Airport provides direct global access. Gozo is just a 25-minute ferry ride away. Hosting the championship in May avoids the summer heat, giving runners ideal conditions for both racing and exploring Malta’s UNESCO sites such as Valletta and Mdina. They can also enjoy Gozo’s beaches, bays, and quiet countryside. English is an official language, simplifying communication and travel for international visitors.
“This island of Gozo carries personal meaning for many of us,” said Shaun Calleja, local resident of Malta. “My grandfather was born on Gozo, and returning here always feels special. It has a calmer and more natural feel than the main island, and the community truly gets behind XTERRA every year.”
“Gozo is the perfect place for us, as the weather, landscape, and people create an ideal setting for the sport we love,” added Nathan Farrugia. “Everything is easy to reach near the harbour, and the options for accommodation range from traditional farmhouses to quiet boutique hotels or five-star resorts. Our crew is looking forward to showing you our beautiful island.”
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Celebrate the Run
The 2026 XTERRA Trail Run World Championship program will feature championship races in both the Full Marathon and Half Marathon formats. It will also include open categories and a shorter distance trail run for wider participation. The minimum age for the open events is 16. However, younger athletes can join the shorter run if accompanied by an adult.
Celebrations include an afternoon awards ceremony for the open races and an evening dinner event for World Championship athletes. Throughout the venue, entertainment, exhibits, and community spaces add to the festival atmosphere. There are opportunities to discover innovative technical products designed for movement through the elements.
For detailed qualification information, please visit the XTERRA Trail Run World Championship qualification page. Open category registration begins this week through the event page with qualified athletes contacted directly to complete their entry.
