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    Cirque Series Reaches the Halfway Point at Alta

    August 17, 2026

    At a Glance: The 2026 Cirque Series officially reached its halfway point Saturday at Alta, Utah, where sunshine, cool mountain breezes, and a climb to the top of Mt. Baldy set the stage for another spectacular day of mountain racing. Hawk Call broke the one-hour mark to win the Men's Pro division, Alexa Aragon defended her Alta title, and Nature's Sunshine Mountain Team athlete Jamie Brusa continued her impressive season with another podium finish.

     

    Photos by Jim Sparkman

     

    HALFWAY THROUGH AN INCREDIBLE SEASON

     

    Just like that, the 2026 Cirque Series is officially halfway through.

     

    On Saturday, August 15, mountain runners gathered at Alta for another unforgettable day in Utah's Wasatch Mountains. The finish-line festival came together outside Goldminer's Daughter, the perfect basecamp for athletes and spectators alike.

     

    And the mountains delivered.

     

    Sunshine filled the sky while cool alpine breezes offered welcome relief along the trail. From Alta's iconic slopes, athletes climbed toward the summit of Mt. Baldy before charging back toward a finish line filled with music, cheers, and the unmistakable energy of the Cirque Series community.

     

    With half of the season now complete, the championship picture is taking shape—and the competition isn't slowing down.

     

    ANOTHER PODIUM FOR THE MOUNTAIN TEAM

     

    Nature's Sunshine Mountain Team athlete Jamie Brusa continued her impressive 2026 Cirque Series campaign at Alta, earning another spot on the Women's Pro podium. 

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    Brusa, of Belgrade, Montana, powered through the Mt. Baldy course in 1:13:10.6 to secure third place in a fast women's field. Congratulations, Jamie, on another hard-earned podium!

     

     

    FAST RACING ON MT. BALDY

     

    The rest of the Pro field brought plenty of speed to Alta as well.

     

    We continue cheering for our hometown hero, Salt Lake City's Alexa Aragon, the 2025 Cirque Series champion, who returned to Alta and successfully defended her title, winning the Women's Pro division in 1:09:43.4. Elizabeth Chikotas of Draper, Utah, followed in second with a time of 1:12:56.3, just ahead of Brusa in third.

     

    On the men's side, Provo's Hawk Call delivered the fastest performance of the day. Call charged through the course in an impressive 59:33.0, becoming the only Pro athlete to break the one-hour mark.

     

    Salt Lake City's Blaine Benitez secured second in 1:04:13.4, while fellow Salt Lake City runner Mike Cappi rounded out the podium in 1:09:18.

     

    PRO PODIUMS

     

    Women's Pro Division
    PlaceAthleteHometownTime
    🥇Alexa AragonSalt Lake City, UT1:09:43.4
    🥈Elizabeth ChikotasDraper, UT1:12:56.3
    🥉Jamie Brusa (Nature's Sunshine Mountain Team)Belgrade, MT1:13:10.6
    Men's Pro Division
    PlaceAthleteHometownTime
    🥇Hawk CallProvo, UT59:33.0
    🥈Blaine BenitezSalt Lake City, UT1:04:13.4
    🥉Mike CappiSalt Lake City, UT1:09:18

     

    NATURE'S SUNSHINE ON THE MOUNTAIN

     

    As the Official Title Sponsor of the Cirque Series, Nature's Sunshine was proud to spend another race day surrounded by athletes, spectators, and the mountain community in our home state of Utah.

     

    From the first climb toward Mt. Baldy to the final moments of racers celebrating on the Goldminer's patio, Alta delivered everything we love about the Cirque Series: challenging terrain, spectacular scenery, determined athletes, and a community that knows how to spend a day in the mountains.

     

    Five races are now behind us. Five more opportunities to race, explore, and push peaks still lie ahead.

     

     

    NEXT STOP: GRAND TARGHEE

     

    The second half of the 2026 Cirque Series begins at Grand Targhee, Wyoming, on August 29, where another high-altitude mountain challenge awaits.

     

    If you've been watching from the sidelines and thinking about joining the Cirque Series yourself, now's your chance. A few race spots are still available for Grand Targhee, so register while you can and come experience what the Cirque Series is all about.

     

     

    Half the season is behind us. Half the adventure is still ahead.

     

     

    Nature's Sunshine Editorial Team

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