May 8-10, 2026 – Makarska, Croatia
The tenth edition of the annual Youth Skyrunning World Championships will take place for the first time in Makarska, Croatia with the VERTICAL on May 8 and the SKY on May 10, 2026.
Four categories are included: Youth A (15-16), Youth B (17-18), Youth C (19-20) and U23 (21-23) will compete in the VERTICAL and SKY disciplines for the 75 medals at stake and individual and combined titles.
May 8 – VERTICAL – TBC
May 10 – SKY – TBC
May 10 – SKY YOUTH A & B – TBC
Age categories
The official 2026 Youth Skyrunning World Championships categories are four:
- Youth A (15-16 years): born from January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2011
- Youth B (17-18 years): born from January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2009
- Youth C (19-20 years): born from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2007
- U23 (21-22-23 years): born from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2005
Regulations
- All those wishing to participate in the Youth Skyrunning World Championships must be selected by their National Member
- Every National Member can select a maximum of six participants for every category, with a maximum of 18 participants per team
- Teams can present up to 6 athletes per age category, with maximum four athletes of the same gender. Possible maximum distributions are: 4M+2W or 3M+3W or 2M+4W
- The team title is awarded based on the individual points accrued by the best three athletes (at least one per gender) of the SKY and the VERTICAL race, in each age category. In case of a tie, the team with the highest number of finishers will be considered.
- The Combined title is based on the results accrued in both the VERTICAL and SKY disciplines. The athlete with the highest sum will be declared the Combined Champion. In case of a tie, the best position in the SKY discipline is considered.
The cost for the accommodation for athletes and accompanying staff will be communicated asap.
Details
- The tenth edition of the Youth Skyrunning World Championships will be held in Croatia, on May 8-10, 2026 in Makarska.
- National teams must communicate their official participation and the number of athletes divided by category by March 10, 2026.
- National teams must communicate the names of the athletes by April 10, 2026.
- Teams must arrive the day before the first race (VERTICAL) and stay until the day following the last race (SKY), from Thursday evening to Monday morning (four nights).
- The VERTICAL will be held on Friday morning, May 8, with a mass start.
- The SKY race will be held on Sunday morning, May 10, with a mass start. The YWC SKY race will be separated by at least 30 minutes from other eventual open races on the same course.
- Medals (gold, silver and bronze) will be awarded to women and men for the VERTICAL and SKY titles and Combined title (based on the sum of VERTICAL + SKY) and for the overall Team Ranking (based on the individual points accrued by the top three athletes – at least one per gender – in each age category in each discipline).
- Other information regarding opening and closing ceremonies, doping controls, pasta parties and all the other activities will be communicated at a later date.
For info and teams participation: mregis@skyrunning.com by March 10, 2026.
Skyrunning Croatia, the ISF member for Croatia, will sanction the events. WADA anti-doping tests will be carried out at the Championships.
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