Rémi Bonnet’s victory in the 2025 World Mountain Running Championships Uphill race:

Rémi Bonnet Claims Gold in Thrilling Uphill Battle at 2025 World Mountain Running Championships

September 25, 2025 – Innsbruck, Austria — Switzerland’s Rémi Bonnet delivered a masterclass in mountain running today, powering his way to victory in the Uphill race at the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC).

Clocking an astonishing 37 minutes and 50 seconds over the grueling ascent, Bonnet cemented his reputation as one of the world’s premier uphill specialists.

The race, held under cool but clear skies in the alpine terrain surrounding Innsbruck, featured a brutal course with over 1,000 meters of vertical gain packed into just 7.5 kilometers.

Athletes from across the globe converged on the Tyrolean mountains for what has quickly become one of the most prestigious events on the global mountain running calendar.

Bonnet, 29, known for his explosive climbing ability and technical finesse, took control of the race early and never looked back.

With every stride, he widened the gap on his competitors, flying past checkpoints with a smooth efficiency that belied the course’s difficulty.

“I felt really good from the start,” Bonnet said after the race, a Swiss flag draped around his shoulders.

“The course suited me perfectly—steep, consistent climbing with sections where you can really push.

I’ve been training specifically for this and it paid off today.”

This win marks Bonnet’s first world title at the WMTRC, adding to his impressive résumé which includes multiple victories on the Golden Trail World Series and vertical kilometer events across Europe.

It’s also a long-awaited redemption after narrowly missing out on a medal in last year’s edition of the championships.

A Race of Attrition

The men’s field was stacked with elite talent, including defending champion Patrick Kipngeno of Kenya, Italy’s Henri Aymonod, and American trail star Joe Gray. From the starting gun, it was clear the pace would be ferocious.

Kipngeno surged to the front in the early stages, pushing the tempo alongside Bonnet and Uganda’s Timothy Toroitich.

But as the race progressed and the gradients steepened, Bonnet’s relentless cadence proved too much for the rest of the field.

By the halfway mark, he had opened a 20-second gap on his nearest challengers, and from there he only increased his lead.

Behind him, the battle for silver and bronze unfolded in dramatic fashion. Kipngeno held on to take second in 38:17, while Toroitich faded slightly in the final kilometers, overtaken by Italy’s Andrea Rostan who surged in the last 500 meters to claim bronze in 38:45.

“I gave it everything I had,” said Kipngeno, gracious in defeat. “Bonnet was just on another level today.”

A Victory for Swiss Mountain Running

Bonnet’s triumph also marked a significant milestone for Switzerland, a nation with a storied mountain running tradition.

With this win, Bonnet becomes the first Swiss man to take the individual uphill title at a world championship level, and his victory sparked celebrations among the red-and-white-clad Swiss supporters lining the course.

Swiss team coach Laura Bühler praised Bonnet’s performance: “We knew he was in top shape, but to dominate a world-class field like this is something special.

It’s a huge moment for Swiss mountain running.”

Looking Ahead

With this win, Bonnet’s star continues to rise in the trail and mountain running world.

Already one of the most recognizable faces on the circuit, his ability to combine raw climbing power with technical skill makes him a threat in any vertical race.

Looking ahead, Bonnet hinted that his focus would soon shift to longer distances and more technical trail events, but he made clear that mountain running remains close to his heart.

“There’s nothing like the purity of an uphill race,” he said.

“Just you against gravity. It’s raw, it’s honest, and today it felt like flying.”

Full Podium – Men’s Uphill Race, WMTRC 2025:

1. Rémi Bonnet (Switzerland) – 37:50

2. Patrick Kipngeno (Kenya) – 38:17

3. Andrea Rostan (Italy) – 38:45

As the sun set over the Austrian Alps, the mountain running community celebrated not only an extraordinary performance by Rémi Bonnet, but also the growing global appeal of a sport that continues to climb to new heights—literally and figuratively.