Brooks is taking their trail running team to new heights in 2025, adding an impressive roster of athletes who are set to make waves in the trail running world. With a focus on both up-and-coming talents and seasoned pros, their latest additions represent some of the best in the sport across the globe, from Canada’s Rémi Leroux to the U.S.’s Chris Myers and Spain’s Ricardo Cherta. We have a closer look at these three trailblazers, highlighting what makes them ones to watch as they gear up for the 2025 season.
Rémi Leroux: a passion for racing and the Brooks team culture
If there’s one thing Leroux loves, it’s racing. The 27-year-old trail runner from Waterloo, Que., has tested his legs on just about every type of terrain—road, ultra-distance and vertical kilometres—but has found his sweet spot in sub-ultra trail racing. “I am a huge fan of racing!” he says. “One of the advantages of doing shorter races is that the recovery time afterward is quite short, which allows me to race frequently.” With a packed schedule that can include up to 20 races a year, Leroux prioritizes key events while maintaining a consistent training load—always keeping an eye on the next challenge.
Leroux claimed the title of 2024 Canadian Mountain Running Champion, a victory that solidified his position as one of the country’s top trail runners. More than just a personal achievement, Leroux says the race also represented the growing strength of Canadian mountain running. “It meant a lot to me, and it was so great to see many Canadians from different provinces make the trip to Quebec to participate in the championships,” he says. Now, with his sights set on the Mountain Running World Championships, he’s eager to see how Canada’s strongest-ever team performs on the international stage.
This season, Leroux joins the Brooks team, a partnership that feels like the perfect fit. “I am super grateful to have the opportunity of partnering with Brooks,” he says. “Their support will allow me to continue improving as an athlete and compete at my highest level in the biggest trail races in the world.” The team culture is another huge draw for Leroux, who says he is looking forward to training and racing alongside some of the best athletes in the sport.
Sierre-Zinal is a major target on Leroux’s 2025 calendar. After missing the race last year due to illness, he’s eager for another shot at one of the most competitive trail races in the world. “I love racing with high-level competition, and Sierre-Zinal might be the most competitive trail race out there, so it should be a blast,” he says.
Colorado’s Chris Myers: a breakout year and big goals with Brooks
Myers grew up in the high desert of southern California, where a love of exploring the outdoors eventually led him to trail running. Now based in Boulder, Colo., he balances a career as a visual effects artist with training at an elite level.
2024 was a breakout year for Myers, highlighted by a Golden Ticket and a top-10 finish at Western States 100. “The biggest difference was committing more seriously to running and moving to Boulder,” he says. “Being in an elite community and training at elevation made a huge impact. And finding a group of ‘small boys’ like Jon Rea, Justin Grunewald and Finn Jacobson-Schulte pushed me to that next level.” Adjusting to Colorado meant adapting to winter training. “Running on snow and ice is rough, but the summer trails make up for it,” he says. “And the competition is no joke—some of these ‘easy’ runs are anything but.”
Myers says that tackling Western States as his 100-mile debut was an eye-opener. “I thought top 10 would be more achievable, but ultrarunning is evolving—people don’t blow up like they used to. Fighting for 10th place with a sprint finish was wild.” He says he is still figuring out his ideal race distance, but leans toward longer events. “More strategy, more problem-solving—it suits me.”
Now backed by Brooks, he’s excited for what’s ahead. “They support athletes through the highs and lows. Feeling seen as an athlete and as a person seems to be one of their strong suits, this is new to me and I feel that it’s going to be an exciting and fulfilling partnership.”
Spain’s Ricardo Cherta: pushing new limits with Brooks by his side
Cherta is no stranger to pushing limits. The Spanish mountain athlete, who calls the Pyrenees home, has made a name for himself in the world of skyrunning, where speed and technical skill define success. Now, at 27, he’s setting his sights on a new challenge: long-distance trail races.
“This change comes from a desire for new challenges and to push my limits in a different type of racing,” he says. “Even though it’s the same sport, long-distance races are a completely different game. I love training and spending time in the mountains, and long distances are the best way to discover new places and learn more about myself.”
One of those challenges is UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc), the legendary 170-km race that tests even the most seasoned ultrarunners. Cherta has been here before, but this year, he plans to take a more calculated approach. “UTMB is a highly complex race because of the distance, the terrain and everything surrounding it. This year, my plan is to prepare more specifically throughout the season and to learn from past mistakes. Ultras are all about that—collecting experiences and becoming a better version of yourself.”
His recent signing with Brooks marks a major milestone in his career. “Being with Brooks is a step forward in my running career and a great opportunity to continue growing within a team and structure designed for high performance,” Cherta says. “I love the way they understand athletes’ needs, as well as the passion and values they stand for.”
Looking ahead, Cherta is determined to make the most of this next chapter. “I see myself enjoying the sport as much as I do now, building a long and successful journey with Brooks and competing at the highest level in the world’s most important races.”
Other athletes to join the Brooks team from Europe include Anthony Felber, Laura Hampel and Guillaume Tiphene. From the U.S., standout runners like Courtney Barnes, Sydney Petersen, Taylor Stack, Barrett Gray and Kristina Randrup will team up to ensure the Brooks team is primed for an incredible 2025.
