The International Skyrunning Federation is pleased to announce the addition of the VERTICAL and SKYULTRA disciplines to the 2026 Masters Skyrunning World Championships, following the recent announcement of the SKY discipline.
The VERTICAL will take place on July 3, 2026, at the same venue as the SKY, on July 4, 2026, part of the ASICS Pierra Menta Été events in Arêches, Savoie, France. The specially designed course of the new Pierra Menta Verticale will satisfy lovers of the “short and steep” with 850m vertical climb over 3.8 km delivering stretches with a 50-70% incline.
Four age categories – over 40, over 45, over 50, and over 55 will be awarded 48 medals across the VERTICAL and the SKY disciplines, while the country ranking will be calculated after the final event at the SKYULTRA.
The SKYULTRA will take place on October 3, 2026, at the Pisão Extreme in São Pedro do Sul, northern Portugal, site of the 2021 European Skyrunning Championships.The demanding terrain will challenge even the strongest world-class masters – 65 km long with 6,500m vertical climb. The course records set at the European Championships remain two important performance benchmarks by Spaniards Manuel Merillas in 8h31’14” and Sandra Sevillano in 10h37’28”.
Here, 27 medals and world titles will be awarded to the first three men and women to cross the line while Official National Teams will gather points based on the score of the top three athletes in each age category.
Launched in 2023, the Masters Skyrunning World Championships have been held in Italy, Portugal (at another location), and Bulgaria. In 2025, 23 countries participated with Portugal heading the country ranking, followed by Japan and Bulgaria.
Skyrunners over 40 can now fulfil their dreams with a full-on challenge across all three disciplines where the rewards come from world titles and gold, silver and bronze medals – for themselves and their country.
Full details
Certified Course (CC) details
Ranking – All athletes participating in the three events are ranked
