Mahé Island hosted the third edition of the Seychelles Nature Trail on May 16, 2026, with 151 runners from 14 countries competing across a 22-kilometre course that cuts through the island’s forest, mountain and coastal terrain. The race continues to gain international participation, building on its previous editions and drawing athletes from Seychelles, South Africa, France, Réunion Island, Great Britain, Italy, Mauritius, India, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Madagascar, the Netherlands, Pakistan and Portugal.
Local participation remained dominant, with 114 runners from Seychelles, followed by South Africa and France with eight athletes each, and smaller delegations from other markets. The diversity of the field reflects growing international interest in the event and its positioning within Seychelles’ tourism offering.
The race began at 07:00 at Constance Ephelia in Port Launay, Port Glaud, following early morning bib collection at 05:30 and a mandatory briefing at 06:30. The route traversed Cap Ternay, Anse Major, Dan Bernard, Mare aux Cochons, Cassedent and Tomassin before concluding at Grand Anse, within the Grand Mahé Stadium. The course, set within the MorneSeychellois National Park, featured an elevation gain of approximately 1,210 metres, with terrain including rainforest trails, granite rock sections and coastal paths. Eight aid stations were positioned along the route, supported by medical teams, with cut-off points enforced at kilometres 9 and 17.
Pakistan’s Wiqar Ahmad Nasir secured victory for the second consecutive year, finishing in 2:11:39. South Africa’s Daniël Classen placed second in 2:13:00, while Jonathan Quatre finished third in 2:29:13, becoming the first Seychellois athlete to cross the line.
Reflecting on his performance, Nasir said, “The experience was wonderful. I really enjoyed the scenery and the trails. The weather was too hot for me, and I struggled in the middle of the race, but I managed to finish. I improved my previous time, but the heat affected my overall performance. If I am invited again to defend my title, I will return.”
The first runners reached the finish line at Grand Anse around 09:00, where the venue transitioned into a public event space. Activities included lunch service for finishers at 12:00, hydration and recovery services, and medal distribution, culminating in the awards ceremony at 15:00. The finish area also hosted a community-focused programme with local vendors, food services and recreational activities, including family-friendly attractions such as bouncy castles, creating an open setting for residents and visitors.
Seychelles’ Minister for Tourism, Amanda Berstein, highlighted participant feedback and the growing international dimension of the race. “I am pleased with the feedback we are receiving from the runners. The trail offers a combination of technical challenge and natural beauty, and participants have appreciated it. They are already expressing interest in returning next year. We are also seeing strong international participation, with runners from Réunion, South Africa and other countries. It is encouraging to see the event bringing together people from around the world.”
She added that the event extended beyond competition. “The park is open to everyone, with food, local vendors and activities for families. It provides an opportunity for the community to come together, support the runners and enjoy the day. As the third edition, it continues to grow, and we look forward to building on this momentum.”
The 2026 edition builds on the foundation of the 2025 race, where Nasir also claimed victory and Réunion’s Isabelle Lame led the women’s field. The continuity in participation and repeat winners points to increasing familiarity with the course, while the expanded international field reflects broader visibility.
The Seychelles Nature Trail is structured as a technical tropical race that integrates endurance sport with the island’s natural environment. Its design, from the resort-based start at Constance Ephelia to the community-oriented finish at Grand Anse, aligns the event with tourism engagement by connecting athletes, residents and visitors within a single programme.
For Seychelles, the trail contributes to efforts to diversify tourism offerings through sport-based experiences that utilise existing natural assets while encouraging visitor participation and local involvement.
