The French runner, a six-time finisher and five-time winner, will once again take on one of the great challenges in international ultra-distance running from 4 to 8 November
Claire Bannwarth will once again be on the starting line of 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria. The French runner will return to the island from 4 to 8 November to take part in the eleventh edition of a race in which she has built much of her sporting legend: she has finished the race six times and won it five times, after claiming victory in both editions held in 2021 and winning again in 2022, 2023 and 2024, as well as completing the race in 2025.
The French runner will therefore take on another edition of one of her biggest challenges, this time with the new start in Gáldar and finish in Tejeda. The 360º will once again feature a course of more than 240 kilometres and around 12,000 metres of positive elevation gain, with no marked route and the definitive course remaining unknown until ten days before the start.
An ultra-distance legend
Bannwarth is one of the leading international specialists in long-distance races. With an ITRA ranking of 714 points, the Alsatian runner has built a career defined by her ability to compete over hundreds of kilometres and take on a succession of highly demanding races.
Before turning to trail running, she competed at the junior fencing world championships. She started running in 2016 and completed her first ultra in 2017, although the major turning point in her career came in 2018 with the Diagonale des Fous.
Interestingly, one of her first major international trail experiences came precisely in Gran Canaria. In 2019, she competed in Transgrancanaria, finishing 13th in the flagship distance.
Since then, her career has been marked by an extraordinary accumulation of kilometres and international victories. Her nickname, “Lapin DuDuracell”, sums up the competitive endurance that has made her one of the most recognisable runners in ultra-distance racing.
Photo by Ian Corless
From the 360º to the Barkley
Her relationship with 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria is one of the most outstanding chapters of her career. In 2024, she secured her fifth consecutive victory in the race and also finished ninth overall, with a time of 57 hours, 56 minutes and 13 seconds.
In 2025, she once again completed the challenge, reaching six finishes, although on that occasion the women’s victory went to Swiss runner Anita Lehmann.
Her international record also includes victories in races such as Atlas Quest, Montreux Trail Festival – Crossing Switzerland, Trail Menorca Camí de Cavalls, TRAILCAT200, ALUT-Algarviana Ultra Trail, TihioRace, Muntanyes de Prades Epic Trail Costa Daurada and Istria 100 by UTMB, among others.
In 2024, she finished third in the final standings of the World Trail Majors circuit, while in 2025 she took on one of the biggest challenges of her career by becoming the first French woman to start the Barkley Marathons.
That same year, she also completed the “Grand Sam” in Hong Kong, taking part in all three distances of the Anta Guanjun Hong Kong 100: 32.6, 55.6 and 102.9 kilometres.
Once again among the favourites
Bannwarth’s return to Gran Canaria comes after another season at the highest level. In 2026, she has won the Swiss Alps 100 and SwissPeaks Trail, as well as finishing second in Monte Rosa Walserwaeg by UTMB and Trail Verbier St Bernard.
After a 2025 edition affected by physical problems, the French runner will once again arrive in Gran Canaria as one of the leading names in the women’s field, with the aim of fighting for victory in a race she knows as well as few other runners.
Bannwarth’s presence adds to an edition that has already surpassed 100 registered participants, with runners from 15 nationalities and 10 women currently registered. The eleventh edition of 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria will take place from 4 to 8 November, starting in Gáldar and finishing in Tejeda.
360º The Challenge Gran Canaria is organised by Arista Eventos, with the sponsorship of the Cabildo de Gran Canaria through Turismo de Gran Canaria and the Instituto Insular de Deportes; the Government of the Canary Islands through Promotur – Islas Canarias; the Town Hall of Gáldar; the Town Hall of Tejeda; Joma and Fred. Olsen Express. The event is also supported by Aguas de Teror, Pepsi, Gofio La Piña, Bonflex, Provital and Inetel.