The demanding, wild terrain of the Canadian Rockies played host to the first-ever Continental Championships dedicated to the Youth category at the Minotaur SkyRace, presented by Arc’teryx on 26-28 June 2026.
Open to athletes aged 15 to 23, these first Youth Skyrunning North & Central American Championships awarded 21 medals together with individual, combined titles and national team rankings which went to USA, Mexico and Canada respectively.
Two skyrunning disciplines were disputed – the VERTICAL and the SKY. The brand new Minotaur VK, specifically designed for the Youth Championships, reaches the highest altitude of the events topping out at 2,380m altitude and the Mini-Taur 10 km is already known as Canada’s hardest 10 km race.
VERTICAL
Minotaur VK – Castle Mountain Resort, AB – June 26, 2026
Distance: 4 km – Vertical climb: 970m
SKY
Mini-Taur 10 km – Crowsnest Pass, AB – June 28, 2026
Distance: 10.5 km – Vertical climb: 950m
USA came out on top with four gold medals out of 15, which totalled 21 overall – thanks to first-rate results by the team across the VERTICAL and SKY disciplines. Sixteen year-old Jetta Betts won both plus the combined title taking home three gold medals. The rest of the team followed through with podium slots across the two races, assuring the overall USA dominance.
Mexico was supreme in the men’s category however with 21 year-old Miguel Angel Lopez clinching both Friday’s VERTICAL and Sunday’s SKY disciplines.
“The last part with the rain was a bit difficult, but I felt strong. Probably reaching the peak was my favourite part. I love this – this place because I try to see more than just the view. I felt good with all the people cheering me – the vibe, the run. It was awesome!”
Friday’s Minotaur VK endured difficult weather with wind and rain, adding to the challenge for the young athletes. Race winner Jetta Betts from the US commented, “I had so much fun racing on such a tough course! I am so grateful for everyone who helped organize this race and I’m excited to race again on Sunday for the skyrace!” Her excitement pulled off her second gold medal in the Mini-Taur 10 km. Both races replicated the same podiums in the women’s categories, with Josephine Smeets taking silver and Hailey Desmarais, bronze.
American Enzo Giampaolo aged 18, pocketed two silver medals and illustrated the conditions of Friday’s VERTICAL. “I had a pretty good race here on a tough course at the Minotaur VK. The pictures don’t even begin to capture how rough the last kilometre really was.” Just 16, Eston Sutherland took the bronze. “Third place. Proud to finally show my full potential in the VK.”
Lopez set the overall fastest course time in Sunday’s Minitaur 10K in 1h12’21”, followed just nine seconds later by Enzo Giampaolo. Closing the podium was 17 year-old Ariel Kenneth Sandoval from Mexico in 1h14’21”.
Hugo Gravel, Race Director, commented, “It was a pretty special experience for our Minotaur team to host these young and talented athletes from around the world – their dedication to the sport of skyrunning is inspiring and their performances were unbelievable!”
A new era has begun in the promotion of skyrunning for youth in the North and Central American Continent. Skyrunning is taking off with the new Merrell USA Skyrunner® Series where everyone can get a taste of high altitude and technical skyrunning on home ground.
Marino Giacometti, ISF President and skyrunning founder, stated, “It’s always an inspiration to see such young runners tackle real skyrunning courses – and excel. Here in Canada the terrain is ideal, and I’d like to express our thanks to Andrew Fairhurst and his team for hosting these first, symbolic events to develop skyrunning in the continent.”
Youth Skyrunning North & Central American Championships
VERTICAL – Minotaur VK, 26 June 2026
Men
Gold – Miguel Angel Lopez (MEX) 42’29”
Silver – Enzo Giampaolo (USA) 45’56”
Bronze – Eston Sutherland (USA) 47’56”
Women
Gold – Jetta Betts (USA) 55’40”
Silver – Josephine Smeets (USA) 1h01’38”
Bronze – Hailey Desmarais (USA) 1h09’06”
SKY – MINITAUR, 26 June 2026
Men
Gold – Miguel Angel Lopez (MEX) 1h12’21”
Silver – Enzo Giampaolo (USA) 1h12’30”
Bronze – Ariel Kenneth Sandoval (MEX) 1h14’21”
Women
Gold – Jetta Betts (USA) 1h36’35”
Silver – Josephine Smeets (USA) 1h56’43”
Bronze – Hailey Desmarais (USA) 2h14’54”
COMBINED – the combined ranking is based on the points earned in the VERTICAL and SKY races.
Men
Gold – Miguel Angel Lopez (MEX)
Silver – Enzo Giampaolo (USA)
Bronze – Eston Sutherland (USA)
Women
Gold – Jetta Betts (USA)
Silver – Josephine Smeets (USA)
Bronze – Hailey Desmarais (USA)
Medal count
More info
CC – Certified Course details
Ranking
Race website
