New Zealand Team Named for 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships

Athletics New Zealand is proud to confirm the selection of 31 athletes to represent Aotearoa at the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, taking place in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain from 24–28 September.

The team comprises 11 mountain runners—including athletes selected for the Uphill and U20 events—and 20 trail runners who will contest the Long and Short Trail races. Among the group are reigning national champions, past World Championship representatives, and some of New Zealand’s most exciting off-road talents.

“This team showcases the depth and diversity of mountain and trail running in New Zealand,” said Athletics NZ Chief Executive Cam Mitchell. “These athletes have shown outstanding commitment and capability in one of the sport’s toughest disciplines, and I know they’ll represent our country with pride on the world stage.”

This year’s event will be held in the picturesque town of Canfranc, nestled in the Aragonese Pyrenees near the French border. For the first time, Spain will host the joint World Mountain and Trail Running Championships—an event run under the combined banner of World Athletics, the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA), the International Trail Running Association (ITRA), and the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU).

Canfranc is no stranger to the sport. With nearly two decades of trail racing experience through its renowned Canfranc-Canfranc event, the town brings a rich legacy of mountain sport to the championships. Over 1,700 athletes from nearly 80 countries are expected to compete across five disciplines: Uphill, Classic, and U20 mountain races, and Short and Long Trail events.
Known for its steep ascents, varied terrain, and dramatic alpine backdrops, the courses in Canfranc are both stunning and unforgiving. Athletes will traverse everything from rocky ridgelines and technical singletrack to pastures and forest paths, offering not just a physical challenge, but an unforgettable experience. Technical sections will require strategy and precision, with elevation playing a key role across all events.

“This event is more than just a race,” said Out of Stadia Events Manager John Bowden. “It’s a celebration of endurance, mountain culture, and the global trail running community. We’re incredibly proud to send such a strong New Zealand team to take on this extraordinary challenge.”

2025 New Zealand World Mountain and Trail Running Team

Mountain Running – Uphill
Senior Women
Maia Flint (Victoria University, Coach: James Kuegler)
Jessie Speedy (North Harbour Bays, Coach: Paul Hamblyn)
Sarah Douglas (Queenstown Athletics Club, Coach: Jono Wyatt)
Grace McConnochie (Gisborne Harrier Club, Coach: David Roche)

Senior Men
Michael Sutton (Athletics Tauranga, Coach: John Bowden)
Toby Batchelor (Pakuranga Athletic Club, Coach: Lindsay Dey)
Dougal Shepherd (Athletics Nelson, Self-Coached)
Eric Speakman (Victoria University, Coach: Craig Kirkwood)

Mountain Running – U20
Junior Women
Bronwen Rees-Jones (Cambridge Club, Coach: Steve Rees-Jones)

Junior Men
Max Doherty (Olympic Harriers, Coach: John Cope)
Lucus Huia (Hill City-University Club, Coach: Shaun Cantwell)

Trail Running – Short Trail
Senior Women
Katie Morgan (Queenstown Athletics, Coach: Martin Cox)
Charlotte Hand (Whippets Running Project, Self-Coached)
Amelia Horne (Team Speedplay, Coach: Sarah Biss)
Laura Bungard (Leith Harriers, Coach: Tony Dodds)

Senior Men
Weston Hill (Trentham United Harriers, Self-Coached)
Ryan Carr (Queenstown Athletic Club, Coach: Ross Gollan)
Dwight Grieve (Fiordland Athletics, Coach: Shaun Cantwell)
David Haunschmidt (Wellington Scottish Harriers, Self-Coached)
Jack Harris (Hill City-University Club, Coach: Mason Coppi)
Jackson Cole (Wellington Scottish Harriers, Self-Coached)

Trail Running – Long Trail
Senior Women
Julia Chamberlain (Fiordland Athletics, Coach: Aerobic Edge)
Jessica Campbell (Sumner Running Club, Coach: Sarah Biss)
Mel Brandon (Wellington Scottish Harriers, Coach: Andrew Wharton)
Richele McKenzie (Wellington Scottish Harriers, Coach: Dawn Tuffery)

Senior Men
Samuel Hansby (Wellington Harrier Club, Coach: Fleur Hansby)
Josh Campbell (Trentham Harriers, Coach: Nic Ayson)
Andy Crosland (Hutt Valley Harriers, Coach: Kery Suter)
Will Bell (Wellington Harrier Club, Coach: Sarah Biss)
Louis Schindler (Nelson Athletics, Self-Coached)
William Bielby (Highgate Harriers, Coach: Daniel Jones)

Eleven of the selected athletes have previously competed at World Championships in Argentina, Thailand, or Austria, bringing valuable international experience to the team.
Each athlete has earned their place through consistent performances across domestic and international events, and now set their sights on one of the toughest and most prestigious endurance events in the sport. We wish the full team all the best as they prepare for the challenges of Canfranc-Pirineos 2025.