What a weekend at the Transvulcania races! David Sinclair & Blandine L’Hirondel won the Ultra, Ruth Gitonga & Philemon Kiriago won the Half Marathon, & Joyce Njeru & Richard Omaya Atuya won the VK.

iRunFar’s next headed to Basque Country, Spain, for the 25th anniversary of the Zegama Marathon on Sunday. Read our preview of the blockbuster field.

Ruth Gitonga 2026 Transvulcania Vertical Kilometer women’s third place

Ruth Gitonga powers to third place at the 2026 Transvulcania Vertical Kilometer. Photo: World Mountain Running Association/Marco Gulberti
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Ruth Gitonga 2026 Transvulcania Vertical Kilometer women's third place

Eszter Horanyi

Eszter Horanyi identifies as a Runner Under Duress, in that she’ll run if it gets her deep into the mountains or canyons faster than walking would, but she’ll most likely complain about it. A retired long-distance bike racer, she turned to running around 2014 and has a bad habit of saying yes to terribly awesome/awesomely terrible ideas on foot. The longer and more absurd the mission, the better. This running philosophy has led to an unsupported FKT on Nolan’s 14 and many long and wonderful days out in the mountains with friends.