After a 2024 edition marked by snow and cold, the Trail du Grand Ballon returned to the Vosges on april 26 and 27 at the summit of the Markstein (1,157 m altitude), for its 7th edition, which set a new participation record.
With 3800 registered runners, the event was fully booked by January 15, a full 100 days before race day. This impressive turnout reflects the growing enthusiasm for this race, which has firmly established itself as a must-attend event for trail running enthusiasts in the Vosges mountains.
For this 2025 edition, no fewer than 7 race distances were offered to trail runners, ranging from 16 to 70 km through the High Vosges. A far cry from last year’s extreme weather, saturday’s runners still had to contend with thick fog, which gradually lifted over the morning to reveal the region’s stunning panoramas. Sunday’s participants were luckier, enjoying sunshine all day long.
On the longest course, 70 km, it was French runner Basile Salomon who claimed victory in 6h58, finishing just one minute ahead of Belgian Arne Detavernier. In the women’s race, Serena Bortone took the win in 8h12, followed closely by another Belgian, Caroline Buyse, who completed the course in 8h47.
Find the full results of each race on www.sqmtime.com.
Notable stats :
– 3800 participants, including 35% women.
– 15 nationalities represented at the start lines.
– 7000 euros raised for the charity “Les Amis de Luisa”
The next edition of the Trail du Grand Ballon will take place on april 25 and 26, 2026.
Registrations open on september 25, 2025…
Can’t wait until then ?
Another challenge awaits you this summer: the Ultra Trail du Grand Ballon on july 19.
Practical info and registration via this link: https://www.grandballon.eu/#infos
