Introducing the events
Since the first extreme races in 1992, the first World Championship in 1998 and the introduction of the Skyrunner® World Series in 2004, skyrunning has grown to become a globally renowned sport governed by the International Skyrunning Federation since 2008. More recently, SkySnow and Masters World Championships have been introduced. The sport is practised in more than 65 nations and counts followers from 126 countries.
ISF Championships
2026
2026 Skyrunning World Championships
The 2026 Skyrunning World Championships featuring the VERTICAL, SKY and SKYULTRA disciplines will be held from 18-20 September, 2026 in La Gomera island, on Spain’s Canary Islands.
World titles and 27 medals are at stake for Individuals and Official Teams, together with a Combined Title based on the best results of the VERTICAL and SKY races.
2026 Youth Skyrunning World Championships
The annual Youth Skyrunning World Championships were introduced in 2016. The tenth edition will take place for the first time in Makarska, Croatia, on May 8-10, 2026. Four categories, Youth A (15-16), Youth B (17-18), Youth C (19-20) and U23 (21-23) will compete for the 75 medals at stake and individual and combined titles.
2026 Masters Skyrunning World Championships
The fourth Masters Skyrunning World Championships dedicated to athletes over forty, will take place in France on July 3-4, 2026 featuring the VERTICAL and SKY disciplines and in Portugal on October 3, 2026 for the SKYULTRA discipline. Four categories, Over 40 (40 to 44 years), Over 45 (45 to 49 years), Over 50 (50 to 54 years) and Over 56 (56 or more years) will compete for the 75 medals at stake and individual titles.
2026 Youth Skyrunning North & Central American Championships
The first ever edition of the Youth Skyrunning Continental Championships will involve North & Central America. The event will take place in Crowsnest Pass, Canada, on June 26-28, 2026. Four categories, Youth A (15-16), Youth B (17-18), Youth C (19-20) and U23 (21-23) will compete for the 75 medals at stake and Continental individual and combined titles.
2026 VK OPEN World Cup
The VK OPEN World Cup, the rebranding of the VK OPEN Championships, feature eight races in six countries stretching across four continents. All the races have two things in common: the Certified Course Label and parameters that fit the VERTICAL discipline. The VK OPEN world title and cash prizes will be awarded to the winners at the Grand Finale, still to be announced.
| 07/03/26 | KM Vertical de Câmara de Lobos | POR |
| 22/05/26 | Travesse d’Encamp KM Vertical | AND |
| 06/06/26 | Casamanya Extrem Vertical Race | JPN |
| 06/06/26 | Biwako Valley Vertical | JPN |
| 12/06/26 | Santana VK | POR |
| 26/06/26 | Minotaur VK | CAN |
| 04/07/26 | Whiteface VK | USA |
| 06/08/26 | Kilómetro Vertical Alto de Letras | COL |
| TBD | TBD | TBD |
Sanctioned circuits
2026 Merrel Skyrunner® World Series
The Merrel Skyrunner® World Series was launched in 2004 and has grown to represent the peak of outdoor running defined by altitude and technicality. The 2026 Series features 24 races in four Continents culminating with the SkyMasters.
| 22/02/26 | Cuatros Refugios | ARG |
| 07/03/26 | Merrell Andes Mountain SkyRace® | CHI |
| 14/03/25 | Acantilados del Norte SkyRace® | ESP |
| 11/04/26 | Calamorro SkyRace® | ESP |
| 26/04/26 | Kailas Penang SkyRace® | MAS |
| 03/05/26 | SkyRace® des Matheysins | FRA |
| 04/05/26 | Ueda SkyRace® | JPN |
| 23/05/26 | SkyRace® des Gorges du Tarn | FRA |
| 20/06/26 | Yading SkyRace® | CHN |
| 28/06/26 | Ibarra SkyRace® | ECU |
| 05/07/26 | Cordillera Blanca SkyRace® | PER |
| 01/08/26 | Beast of Big Creek | USA |
| 21/08/26 | Matterhorn Ultraks «EXTREME» | SUI |
| 22/08/26 | Trofeo Kima | ITA |
| 05/09/26 | MAGA SkyMarathon | ITA |
| 27/09/26 | Gorbeia SkyRace® | ESP |
| 18/10/26 | Mt. Kinabalu Climbathon | MAS |
| 24/10/26 | Sobrescobio SkyRace® | ESP |
| 07/11/25 | Marató dels Dements – SKYMASTERS | ESP |
2026 Skyrunner® National Series
The Skyrunner® National Series is a circuit derived from the Skyrunner® World Series organised on a national level directly by ISF Members. Benefits linked to the Skyrunner® World Series are available to SNS winners.
