World medallists and skyrunning superstars from across the globe are heading for the 2026 Skyrunning World Championships on the island of La Gomera in the Canary Islands, Spain, from September 18–20, 2026.
From sea to sky, this tiny gem of an island in the Atlantic Ocean, has everything to offer – under the auspices of the Gomera Paradise events.
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.
The ninth edition of the Championships will see 270 athletes from 38 countries across five continents compete.
The events launch on Thursday, 17 September with a parade of the national teams proudly carrying their country flags, followed by an intensive three days featuring:
September 18 – VERTICAL – 4.9 km and 950m vertical climb
September 19 – SKYULTRA – 63 km and 4,100m vertical climb
September 20 – SKY – 29 km and 1,900m vertical climb
The battle begins on Friday, September 18 with the VERTICAL which starts at 300m above sea level and, after a lung-busting vertical climb, tops out at 1,279m.
The SKYULTRA features a new, specially designed course The race will start in the dark, just before dawn, in Vallehermoso on Saturday, September 19 with an initial loop before heading towards the finish line in San Sebastián de la Gomera.
Closing the Championships on Sunday, September 20, the SKY discipline starts in Hermigua and finishes in San Sebastián de la Gomera to the applause of all the locals celebrating the events.
Just short of the record 41 countries that participated in 2024, 38 countries will take up the challenge, after losing Nepal which was forced to cancel due to the recent natural disaster there. Those participating are: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Eritrea, France, Germany, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom, USA, Venezuela.
The star-studded line-up counts gold-medallists – some with more than one around their necks – from past World, Continental, Youth, Masters and SkySnow Championships, including:
- Cristian Minoggio (ITA) – World Champion SKYULTRA 2024, 2022
- Naiara Irigoyen (ESP) – World Champion VERTICAL 2024
- Joseph Demoor (USA) – World Champion VERTICAL 2022
- Luca del Pero (ITA) – triple SkySnow World Champion 2022
- Benedetta Broggi (ITA) – European VERTICAL & Combined Champion 2025; triple SkySnow European Champion 2025
- Fran Muñoz (PER) – triple South American Champion 2025
- Lluis Puigvert (ESP) – 12 times Youth World Champion 2023 – 2026
- Pere Aurell (ESP) – Masters World Champion SKYULTRA 2024, 2023
After celebrating 14 successful editions, Gomera Paradise is ready to host the Skyrunning World Championships. “For us, hosting the Skyrunning World Championships on the island of La Gomera – as part of the Gomera Paradise Sky Race – is a dream come true and a reward for the years of work, effort, sacrifice, and dedication shown by everyone who feels a personal connection to Gomera Paradise. This marks the first time in history that an event of such nature and magnitude has been held on La Gomera, representing a true turning point for the island,” commented race director, José Antonio Rodríguez Herrera. “We eagerly await the arrival of all the participants so they can experience the island’s charms and the warmth of its people and take home the very best of memories.”
Taking you “from hell to heaven”, as the Gomera Paradise motto says, the location is truly unique. Of volcanic origin, the island measures just 22 kilometres in diameter, situated in the North Atlantic, southwest of the island of Tenerife.
With its striking mountainous skyline reaching 1,487 metres, the higher areas are often shrouded in mist, nourished by the dense laurel forests of Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Interesting to note, the island was Christopher Columbus’s final port of call before his 1492 voyage to the Americas.
ISF President and skyrunning founder Marino Giacometti stated, “We are excited to return once again to Spain which represents one of the sport’s greatest followings and that has produced many of its greatest champions, thanks to our member FEDME.
“We had the opportunity to visit this magical island to see last year’s events in action and to meet with the team and authorities. We are confident these Championships will provide a spectacular showcase, attracting the world’s best skyrunners for intense competition on truly technical terrain.”
For the fourth time in Spain, the Skyrunning World Championships will be sanctioned by FEDME (Federación Española de Deportes de Montaña y Escalada), ensuring the same high standards that characterised the previous editions. Following ISF protocol, WADA antidoping tests will be carried out.
Skyrunning World Championships are not just about the battle for medals, but also the enormous passion that athletes, organisers, members, media, and fans bring to the sport, always true to its spirit: “Less cloud. More sky.”
Concomitant with the Skyrunning World Championships, the ISF Annual General Assembly will be held at the venue on September 17, 2026.
Course Certification + technical level
All athletes will be included in the ISF Ranking
Event website
FEDME website
