Trail Photo of Runner Wins Illume Award
Adventure sports fans see the human side of mountain racing in a photo of a Norwegian runner who later died in a fall.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Hiking
Ágata Dominguez won the Trail Category of The Illume Awards 2026 with a photograph of Norwegian trail runner Ida Amelie Robsahm on a muddy climb during the Zegama-Aizkorri race in Spain's Basque Country. Robsahm, 30, died on September 19 after a fall on Norway's Romsdalseggen ridge.
Why it matters
The award places an image of an athlete who has since died in front of a global audience, and it highlights the risks trail runners face on steep, technical terrain. The photograph was taken in May, months before the fatal fall, so the award arrives after her death.
The award was decided by a panel of five judges: Will Saunders, Alexis Berg, Hilary Yang, Billy Yang, and Markus Kröll. The photograph was captured during a race, using a specific camera and lens configuration noted in the entry.
The players
Ágata Dominguez
A photographer who has lived in the Swiss Alps for ten years and won the Trail Category of The Illume Awards 2026.
Ida Amelie Robsahm
A Norwegian trail runner, age 30, who died after a fall on the Romsdalseggen ridge in Norway.
The Illume Awards
An awards program recognizing the best adventure and action sports photography.
The details
The image was taken from within the spectator crowd on a muddy uphill stretch, with a dark shoulder and outstretched hands intruding on the right of the frame. The Illume Awards recognizes the best adventure and action sports photography across its categories.
Timeline
May 2026: photograph taken during the Zegama-Aizkorri race at Sancti Spiritu above Zegama, Spain.
September 19, 2026: Ida Amelie Robsahm died after a fall on Norway's Romsdalseggen ridge.
2026: Dominguez's photograph won the Trail Category of The Illume Awards 2026.
Health Landscape
Trail running on steep, technical terrain carries inherent fall risks, a reality that competitive races in mountainous regions such as the Zegama-Aizkorri course in Spain must account for. Recognition of athlete-centered sports photography increasingly highlights the human stakes of endurance sports.
Trail runners and hikers on steep, muddy terrain face real fall hazards, so paying attention to footing and route conditions matters. Anyone planning mountain racing or technical hiking may want to discuss training and safety preparation with a clinician or experienced guide.
The takeaway
Technical mountain terrain demands careful footing and respect for conditions, even for experienced athletes. Readers who train on steep trails can review safety basics with a qualified guide before tackling challenging routes.
Further reading
For more on the sport behind this image, explore our Hiking coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Digital Camera World.
