Innovation Meets Endurance: 3M™ Technology Powers a Landmark Season at the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships held in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain.
The 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC Canfranc) concluded this past September, but the legacy of innovation left by sponsor 3M™ will endure.
From September 25-28, under brilliant Spanish skies, the global trail running community witnessed not only a breathtaking elite athletic spectacle. They also saw a masterclass in how advanced material science elevates performance in the world’s most demanding environments.
This championship event was the crowning moment of a broader partnership. It began earlier in the month with the Canfranc-Canfranc, a public race that welcomed hundreds of amateur enthusiasts to the very same iconic Pyrenees terrain.
Engaging the Global Elite: The 3M Experience Booth
At the heart of WMTRC Canfranc was the 3M Experience Booth. It served as a dynamic hub of innovation. This interactive space allowed 3M representatives to engage in direct, face-to-face communication with athletes and spectators from over 70 competing nations. The booth was a focal point for education and excitement, where runners could experience 3M technologies firsthand.
A key interactive element was the distribution of specially designed runner’s hats. These weren’t just ordinary gifts; they were a showcase of 3M’s textile expertise. The hats featured
3M™ Scotchgard™ Water Repellent technology on the exterior shielded runners from unexpected elements. Meanwhile, the interior was lined with 3M™ Scotchgard™ Moisture Wicking fabric. It actively pulled sweat away from the skin to keep athletes dry and focused. This direct engagement underscored 3M’s role as a technical partner deeply invested in athlete performance and comfort.
A Championship Wrapped in World-Class Innovation
Sponsorship integration extended to the official championship goodie bag. It included the 3M™ technical arm sleeves. The pinnacle piece was the coveted finisher’s vest for the CanfrancCanfranc race, which took place prior to the WMTRC. This vest features 3M™ Thinsulate™ Insulation for superior, lightweight warmth. The vests were treated with 3M™ Scotchgard™ Protector for water repellency and quick-drying comfort.
The finish line in Canfranc Estación was a sun-splashed party. It was filled with exhausted embraces and the proud sight of the new 3M branded gear being worn as a badge of honor.
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Connecting 3M™ Technology to the Trail
“The Canfranc event provided a perfect real-world laboratory for our technologies,” said Melissa Blakley, 3M™ Thinsulate™ and 3M™ Scotchgard™ Global Portfolio Director. “Seeing athletes rely on 3M™ Thinsulate™ for warmth without bulk and trust 3M™ Scotchgard™ to manage moisture and repel water on a course that traverses around Northern Spain. It’s the ultimate validation. Our goal is to apply material science to solve the fundamental challenges faced in outdoor activities, and this weekend, we did just that.”
A Legacy Forged in Innovation and Performance
The 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and the accompanying CanfrancCanfranc were more than just races. They were a powerful demonstration of how purposeful innovation can enhance human achievement in the great outdoors. From the enthusiastic amateur in the Open to the world champion on the podium, 3M technology was there every step of the way, proving that behind every peak performance is a foundation of cutting-edge science.
