MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES. 2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

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CONTENTS

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WELCOME TO THE MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES 2019 TOP TEN ATHLETES THE 2019 CALENDAR MT. AWA SKYRACE® - JAPAN YADING SKYRUN - CHINA ALEXIS BERG CAPTURES THE SKYRUNNING SEASON TRANSVULCANIA ULTRAMARATHON - SPAIN SKYRACE® DES MATHEYSINS - FRANCE MADEIRA SKYRACE® - PORTUGAL LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® - ITALY MEET ANDRÉS ARROYO SHEILA’S COACH OLYMPUS MARATHON - GREECE BUFF® EPIC TRAIL 42K - SPAIN

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2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

ROYAL ULTRA SKYMARATHON® GRAN PARADISO - ITALY SKYRACE® COMAPEDROSA - ANDORRA TROMSØ SKYRACE® - NORWAY MATTERHORN ULTRAKS «EXTREME» - SWITZERLAND ZACUP SKYRACE® - ITALY PIRIN ULTRA SKYRACE® - BULGARIA SKY PIRINEU – SPAIN THE SKYMASTERS LIMONE SUL GARDA – ITALY THE RIVALRY AND SPORTSMANSHIP OF THE SEASON RUY UEDA AND ORIOL CARDONA THE NUMBER ONE SHEILA AVILÉS 2019 SEASON CHAMPIONS THE 2020 CALENDAR

MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES

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THE MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES

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MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

2019: THE SEASON THAT CHANGED THE GAME

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG | MATTERHORN ULTRAKS «EXTREME»

One season, 15 races, one final and the entire series was decided by a mere 12 seconds. This was the 2019 Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series, the most competitive, technical and exciting circuit on earth.

ONE RANKING. ONE CHAMPION. ONE GOAL This year, one overall ranking system was introduced to make the series even more competitive, with the goal of defining the best male and female skyrunners in the world. Every skyrunner was competing against each other for the ultimate title. The overall ranking was based on the best four points results, of which no more than two could be “SuperSky Races” – races rewarding double points.

On October 19th 2019, the _crème de la crème _of skyrunning gathered in Limone for one final challenge. For the first time in the series’ history, the world’s best skyrunners went head to head on an exclusive course open only to those who qualified. The first to cross the finish line would prove themselves to be the fastest, strongest and most technically talented athletes – true skyrunners.

6,425 runners, 16 races, 11 countries, 649 kilometeres and 50,000 meters of elevation gain - 2019 was savage, exciting and unpredictable. We have witnessed the dawn of a new era of skyrunning.

This is just the beginning.

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

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MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG | LIMONE SUL GARDA

VÍDEO © Skyrunning

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

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THE ATHLETES TOP 10 WOMEN OF THE 2019 SEASON

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SHEILA AVILÉS – SPAIN – ADIDAS TERREX - 780 POINTS 1ST 1ST 1ST 2ND 2ND

LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® – SUPERSKY RACE BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE SKYRACE® COMAPEDROSA ZACUP SKYRACE® THE SKYMASTERS

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RAGNA DEBATS – THE NETHERLANDS – MERRELL - 655 POINTS

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ELISA DESCO – ITALY – COMPRESSPORT/SCARPA - 600 POINTS

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JOHANNA ÅSTRÖM – SWEDEN – DYNAFIT - 508 POINTS

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DENISA DRAGOMIR – ROMANIA – SERIM - 490 POINTS

1ST TRANSVULCANIA ULTRAMARATHON – SUPERSKY RACE 1ST PIRIN ULTRA SKYRACE® 1ST ROYAL ULTRA SKYMARATHON® 4TH BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE 5TH THE SKYMASTERS

1ST 1ST 2ND 4TH 6TH

1ST 1ST 2ND 6TH

MT AWA SKYRACE® OLYMPUS MARATHON LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE THE SKYMASTERS

MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SPERSKY RACE TROMSØ SKYRACE® BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE ZACUP SKYRACE®

1ST THE SKYMASTERS 1ST ZACUP SKYRACE® 3RD MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE

MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

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HILLARY GERARDI – USA – SCARPA/BLACK DIAMOND - 484 POINTS

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ANNE-LISE ROUSSET – FRANCE – OXSITIS/ODLO - 455 POINTS

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ELENA RUKHLYADA – RUSSIA – INOV8 RUSSIA - 418 POINTS

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HOLLY PAGE – GREAT BRITAIN – ADIDAS TERREX - 408 POINTS

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2ND 3RD 5TH 7TH 9TH

1ST 4TH 7TH 7TH 7TH

2ND 2ND 3RD 5TH

MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE TROMSØ SKYRACE® SKYRACE® DES MATHEYSINS BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE THE SKYMASTERS

TRANSVULCANIA ULTRAMARATHON - SUPERSKY RACE OLYMPUS MARATHON BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE MT AWA SKYRACE® THE SKYMASTERS

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

2ND 3RD 2ND 7TH 8TH

SKYRACE DES MATHEYSINS THE SKYMASTERS LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® – SUPERSKY RACE SKYRACE® COMAPEDROSA ZACUP SKYRACE®

TROMSØ SKYRACE® SKY PIRINEU BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® – SUPERSKY RACE

OIHANA AZKORBEBEITIA – SPAIN – EUSKAL HERRIA EMF - 407 POINTS

3RD ROYAL ULTRA SKYMARATHON® 4TH SKYRACE® DES MATHEYSINS 4TH LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® – SUPERSKY RACE 7TH THE SKYMASTERS 10TH MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE

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THE ATHLETES TOP 10 MEN OF THE 2019 SEASON

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RUY UEDA – JAPAN – COLUMBIA MONTRAIL - 740 POINTS 1ST 1ST 1ST 3RD 4TH

MT AWA SKYRACE® LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® – SUPERSKY RACE THE SKYMASTERS ROYAL ULTRA SKYMARATHON® BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE

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ORIOL CARDONA – SPAIN – DYNAFIT - 700 POINTS

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JONATHAN ALBON – GREAT BRITAIN – VJ SHOES/GORE - 600 POINTS

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ZAID AIT MALEK – SPAIN – JIMBEE MELON - 565 POINTS

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DANIEL ANTONIOLI – ITALY – LA SPORTIVA - 472 POINTS

1ST 2ND 2ND 2ND 3RD

1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH 4TH

1ST 3RD 3RD 3RD 7TH

BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE MT AWA SKYRACE® YADING SKYRUN® THE SKYMASTERS LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® SUPERSKY RACE

TROMSØ SKYRACE® BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE MT AWA SKYRACE® THE SKYMASTERS TRANSVULCANIA ULTRAMARATHON – SUPERSKY RACE

OLYMPUS MARATHON BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE ZACUP SKYRACE® THE SKYMASTERS

1ST MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE 2ND LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® -SUPERSKY RACE 3RD ZACUP SKYRACE 13TH THE SKYMASTERS 20TH SKY PIRINEU

MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

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BENAT MARMISSOLLE – FRANCE – A. BAYONNAIS OHRI - 344 POINTS

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JAN MARGARIT – SPAIN – SALOMON - 335 POINTS

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CHRISTIAN MATHYS – SWITZERLAND - 335 POINTS

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KIRIL NIKOLOV – BULGARIA – XCO SPORTS/SCARPA - 333 POINTS

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1ST 2ND 6TH 6TH 17TH

PIRIN ULTRA SKYRACE® MADEIRA SKYRACE® MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE TROMSØ SKYRACE® THE SKYMASTERS

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

1ST SKYRACE® COMAPEDROSA 1ST SKY PIRINEU 5TH THE SKYMASTERS

2ND MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE 3RD THE SKYMASTERS

2ND 3RD 5TH 5TH 9TH

OLYPMUS MARATHON PIRIN ULTRA SKYRACE® MT AWA SKYRACE® SKYRACE DES MATHEYSINS THE SKYMASTERS

MARC PINSACH – SPAIN – DYNAFIT - 316 POINTS

5TH 6TH 8TH 8TH 10TH

YADING SKYRUN® OLYMPUS MARATHON MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE THE SKYMASTERS BUFF® EPIC TRAIL – SUPERSKY RACE

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THE 2019 CALENDAR A combination of new favourites and old classics. From Japan to the Italian Alps, this year’s circuit spanned 11 different countries, taking in 16 of the world’s most thrilling, technical and awe-inspiring skyraces, each with their own unique story to tell.

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MAY

11

MAY

MT. AWA SKYRACE®

Sanjō | Japan

YADING SKYRUN®

Sichuan | China

TRANSVULCANIA ULTRAMARATHON

La Palma Island Spain

19 MAY

SKYRACE® DES MATHEYSINS

Saint-Honoré France

1

JUN

MADEIRA SKYRACE®

Madeira Island Portugal

15

JUN

LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON®

Livigno Italy

29 JUN

12

OLYMPUS MARATHON

Dion | Greece

MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES

14 JUL

BUFF® EPIC TRAIL 42K

Barruera Spain

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

21 JUL

ROYAL ULTRA SKYMARATHON® GRAN PARADISO

Ceresole Reale Italy

28 JUL

SKYRACE® COMAPEDROSA

Arinsal, La Massana Andorra

3

AUG

23 AUG

TROMSØ SKYRACE®

Tromsø | Norway

MATTERHORN ULTRAKS «EXTREME»

Zermatt Switzerland

15 SEP

22 SEP

19 OCT

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

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OCT

ZACUP SKYRACE®

Pasturo | Italy

PIRIN ULTRA SKYRACE®

Bansko | Bulgaria

SKY PIRINEU

Bagà | Spain

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PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG | LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON® SUPERSKY RACE

MT. AWA SKYRACE®

SANJO, JAPAN

AS THE LOCALS SAY, “YOU CAN CLIMB ANYWHERE IF YOU CAN CLIMB AWAGATAKE”

PHOTO © MRSWS | SHO FUJIMAKI

The first race in the history of the Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series to be held in Japan. A challenging course characterised by snow ridges leading the way to the top of Mt. Awagatake.

Cherry blossoms line the road to the start line. The curtain comes up. The skyrunning masterclass begins.

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YADING SKYRUN®

YADING, SICHUAN, CHINA

THE BEAST FROM THE EAST

PHOTO © MRSWS | KIRK KENNY

A race in the shadows of the sacred mountains of Doacheng. At 4,000m above sea level, amidst glacier-fed rivers and Buddhist prayer flags, this high-altitude race is quite literally breathtaking.

“To run amongst the 6,000m peaks of the Sacred mountains of Doacheng is like being in a completely different world.

During the race, we encounter the ancient Tibetan culture that still dominates the area and have to mind out for herds of yaks, right on the trails we race on.

2019 champion, Megan Kimmel.

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ALEXIS BERG THE MAN BEHIND THE LENS OF THE SKYRUNNING SEASON

To photograph the season was a great experience.

There is a particular adrenaline that’s different from the ultras. There is a real density in the top 10, which makes these races full of suspense.”

vantage point is the most impressive. When I think of skyrunning, I think of intense, animated races.

There is beauty in the speed and elevation; above the craters, runners “The Extreme in Zermatt has been become tightrope walkers. the best race to capture. It was exciting to discover a new race. The “Light is the most fundamental asconditions were perfect to enjoy the pect of photography. The dawn beauty of these mountains. light is the most magnificent, but I also like cloudy and misty skies.

“My most memorable experience Ridges are an ideal setting as they of the season was in Livigno where isolate the movement of the runweather conditions changed our ners. A good picture should be easy plans. With lots of snow, few ridg- to read, yet abstract enough to ales and no helicopter, I was a little low the person who looks at it to be afraid that the race would be dis- able to imagine themselves in the appointing. But on the contrary, it centre of the action. was a very good time and proved to be a very interesting photographic “Before a race, I visualise the course playground. The memorable mo- and its profile, calculate the split ment? When the last runners had times, vantage points and the posijust passed the top, I started to run tion of the sun, but on the day, it all downhill in the snow. I really had comes down to instinct and inspito jump and kept sinking in. It was ration. Sometimes, I feel I’m at the funny to look back once the job was wrong place and that I’m wasting finished.” my time. But if a location inspires me, then I will stay for as long as it takes “By definition, Skyrunning is literally to get the shots I’m looking for”. above.”

“The highest paths and the ridges close to the summit are where the

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PHOTO © LAURENCE TANGE

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TRANSVULCANIA ULTRAMARATHON

LA PALMA ISLAND, SPAIN

A VOLCANIC ISLAND. A SKYRUNNING PLAYGROUND The Transvulcania Ultramarathon is the stuff of legend; it’s an event at the top of every runner’s bucket list. But the prestige of winning such a race doesn’t come without pain, commitment and grim determination.

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The key is patience. Start too fast and you pay for it afterwards.

2019 champion, Ragna Debats.

74 Km | +4,350 m 11

MAY

FRA RUS SWE

07:11:04 07:14:23 07:21:28

1ST RAGNA DEBATS 2ND ANNE-LISSE ROUSSET 3RD MEGAN KIMMEL

NED FRA USA

08:09:25 08:25:11 08:35:03

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

1ST THIBAUT GARRIVIER 2ND DMITRY MITYAEV 3RD PETTER ENGDAHL

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SKYRACE® DES MATHEYSINS

SAINT-HONORÉ, FRANCE

A FORCE OF NATURE Snowy ascents, icy downhills and zero visibility set the stage for a fierce fight for victory. This newcomer has well and truly earned it’s skyrace status.

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PHOTO © MRSWS | ROGER SALANOVA

MAY

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MADEIRA SKYRACE®

MADEIRA, PORTUGAL

STRATEGY OVER STRENGTH Game. Set. Match. The ever-changing terrain on the island of Madeira leaves no room for error. Only those with the best race strategies stand a chance of winning here.

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PHOTO © MRSWS | DAVID GONTHIER

JUN

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PHOTO © MRSWS | DAVID CARLIER | MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » - SUPERSKY RACE

LIVIGNO SKYMARATHON®

LIVIGNO, ITALY

SKY-HIGH RIDGES IN THE BIRTHPLACE OF SKYRUNNING It’s every skyrunner’s dream to run on the jagged ridges above Livigno. Skyrunning was born in the Italian alps and returning to these roots makes for a race like no other.

34 Km | + 2,700 m 15

JUN

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1ST RUY UEDA 2ND DANIEL ANTONIONI 3RD ORIOL CARDONA

JPN ITA ESP

03:22:57 03:24:37 03:26:24

1ST SHEILA AVILÉS 2ND ELISA DESCO 3RD GISELA CARRIÓN

ESP ITA ESP

03:52:40 03:56:11 03:58:49

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With ridges and ropes, Livigno is pure skyrunning. Every time I return, it ignites my passion again and I am reminded why I do this.

It’s beyond an honor to race in the place where skyrunning was born. I played with my strengths and took control on the uphill. Winning such an iconic race is a dream come true and a memory that will stay with me forever.

2019 champion, Ruy Ueda.

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PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

2019 champion, Sheila Avilés.

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THE ABILITY TO ADAPT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SKILL FOR A SKYRUNNER MEET ANDRÉS ARROYO MAZORRA, THE COACH BEHIND SHEILA AVILÉS

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2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

I started coaching Sheila three years ago.

Even at the beginning of her skyrunning career, I knew she had a great deal of potential because she was already performing at a high level. This natural talent combined with efficient training was a recipe for success. What differentiates Sheila from other runners is her ability to withstand a high level of suffering for a long amount of time. And in skyrunning, this is a crucial determining factor”.

“Sheila performs consistently well in almost all of the races in which she competes. She’s a real all-rounder. This ability to adapt is the most important skill for a skyrunner. These races are a constant change of terrain, inclination and speed. A good skyrunner must therefore, be a good runner for the flat and less technical areas, a good climber for the steep ascents and a strong downhiller in both steep and technical sections. Sheila performs well in all three of these areas”.

“Although I’m proud every time she wins, it’s Sheila’s daily grind that gives me the biggest feeling of pride. It’s great to see her hard work and dedication pay off when we analyse the numbers and see that month by month and year by year, she is constantly progressing”.

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG | BUFF® EPIC TRAIL 42K

“This year, we’ve worked a lot on running in less technical areas, as this is one of Sheila’s “weakest” points. So far, we’ve seen a huge improvement. A normal training plan doesn’t involve more than 3 days of training in a row. I believe quality is better than quantity and sometimes knowing how and when to rest and give the body a break is the best training we can do”.

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OLYMPUS MARATHON

DION, GREECE

THE SKYRACE OF THE GODS The journey to Mount Olympus. Below the towering Throne of Zeus, this race recreates myths and legends, as competitors run in the footsteps of the Ancient Greeks.

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ZAID AIT MALEK An athlete with as much character and history as the race. A true fighter and this year’s God of Olympus.

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PHOTO © MRSWS | GUILLEM CASANOVA

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BUFF® EPIC TRAIL 42K

BARRUERA, SPAIN

THE BATTLE OF VALL DE BOÍ BUFF® Epic Trail turned up the heat and saw the competition reach a whole new level. Cardona vs.

Ueda, Avilés vs. Åström, Ait Malek vs. Albon, Page vs.

Debats – the 8th race of the season was a battle of epic proportions.

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2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

In Japan a Japanese runner beat me and the same happened again in China and Italy so it felt good racing in my home country for once. This was a special win. It was so emotional to cross the finish line and see all the Catalan fans and people I know cheering my name.

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

2019 champion, Oriol Cardona.

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ROYAL ULTRA SKYMARATHON® GRAN PARADISO CERESOLE REALE, ITALY A RACE THROUGH THE ROYAL HUNTING GROUNDS OF GRAN PARADISO With 10 peaks to conquer over 55 km of high-altitude skyrunning, this epic race becomes the hunter and the runners become the hunted.

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PHOTO © MRSWS | JAN NYKA

JUL

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2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

SKYRACE® COMAPEDROSA

ARINSAL, ANDORRA

FAST, FURIOUS, SHORT AND STEEP A new wave of skyrunners hit Comapedrosa this year for the shortest race of the calendar. But what it lacks in distance, it makes up for in speed and technicality.

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PHOTO © MRSWS | J.M. MUÑOZ EGEA

JUL

In skyrunning, you cannot admit defeat. I suffered a nasty fall but I got back up and said whatever happens, I will give everything I‘ve got! That’s what I love about this sport. Each race is a journey. You never know what’s going happen but you always know you’re in for one hell of a ride.

Rok Bratina, 3rd place at Comapedrosa and new face of 2019.

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PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

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TROMSØ SKYRACE®

TROMSØ, NORWAY

THE MONSTER FROM THE NORTH The brainchild of Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg, the king and queen of skyrunning, this race is a skyrunning classic.

57 Km | +4,700 m 3

AUG

1ST JONATHAN ALBON 2ND MANUEL ANGUITA 3RD DANIEL JUNG

GBR ESP ITA

06:54:30 07:03:30 07:06:34

1ST JOHANNA ÅSTRÖM 2ND HOLLY PAGE 3RD HILLARY GERARDI

SWE GBR USA

08:00:49 08:10:09 08:25:57

Hamperokken, the ridge no runner will forget.

I thought that ridge had taken something from me. Tears were shed emotions were high. I returned to close this chapter in my life and it finally feels like I have done so.

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Hillary Allen.

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2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

Jon Albon, 4-time champion and King of Tromsø Skyrace.

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

MIGU RUN SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALBERT JORQUERA

Tromsø Skyrace is unlike any other mountain race I have ever done. The route is planned with no nonsense lines, the majority not even on trails, but just through exposed mountains or wild forests. It was the first skyrace in the Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series that I managed to win and has been the mountain event I have returned to most often since.

To say it is a favourite of mine would be an understatement, but when I finish, I am always filled with the same thoughts and feelings.

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PHOTO © MRSWS | JACKSON GROVES | MATTERHORN ULTRAKS «EXTREME»

MATTERHORN ULTRAKS « EXTREME » ZERMATT, SWITZERLAND THE TRUE DEFINITION OF “EXTREME” A technical alpine route, complete with glaciers, boulder fields and a never-ending, steep couloir. Martin Anthamatten, the world-renowned mountaineer and course architect, has successfully created a new skyrunning masterpiece, set to challenge racers for years to come.

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24 Km | +2,800 m 23

1ST DANIEL ANTONIOLI 2ND CHRISTIAN MATHYS 3RD ZAID AIT MALEK

ITA SUI ESP

03:30:15 03:30:35 03:31:24

1ST JOHANNA ÅSTRÖM 2ND HILLARY GERARDI 3RD DENISA DRAGOMIR

SWE USA ROU

04:12:51 04:14:48 04:27:36

Emotion and enjoyment characterize this new race, even more than speed. You’re facing yourself, in a real tête-à-tête with the mountain. Silence is part of the journey at altitude. It’s simply spectacular.

Martin Anthamatten, course designer.

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

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PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

AUG

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ZACUP SKYRACE®

PASTURO, ITALY

THE UNFORGIVING SLOPES OF THE GRIGNA

PHOTO © MRSWS | ROGER SALANOVA

Despite the maximum incline of 75% on the uphill, the outcome of ZACUP Skyrace® was decided on the descent.

A smooth and easy race this isn’t.

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PIRIN ULTRA SKYRACE® BANSKO, BULGARIA WILDERNESS AND UNTAMED NATURE. PIRIN ULTRA IS A RUN LIKE NO OTHER

PHOTO © MRSWS | MARTIN ANGELOV

Wilderness and untamed nature.

Pirin Ultra is a run like no other Long and beautiful yet fast and technical. 66 km through Pirin National park on alpine terrain with peaks, alpine lakes and incredible wildlife, including eagles and vultures.

2019 SEASON | THE JOURNEY

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SKY PIRINEU

BAGÀ, SPAIN

THE BEATING HEART OF CATALONIA

What a feeling to run above the clouds in the Pyrenees.

It’s a beautiful part of the word that I enjoy coming back to. The atmosphere is pumping and the Catalans are always excellent hosts.

Holly Page, 2019 2nd place

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PHOTO © MRSWS | ROGER SALANOVA

A brand new course designed to fit the skyrace standards. No messing around, no hidden agenda.

Bagà becomes the place where two worlds collide: the fastest mountain runners from the Pyrenees and the top skyrunners from near and far.

A new star shines and those who were there before, glisten even brighter.

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PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG | THE SKYMASTER. LIMONE

VÍDEO © Skyrunning

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THE SKYMASTERS The grand finale. The last ascent. History was made right here on the shores of Lake Garda as a crowd of spectators and fans from all over the world witnessed Ruy Ueda and Denisa Dragomir take home the title of the world’s first “SkyMasters” in a battle that was fought until the final steps before the finish line.

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27 Km | +2,600 m 19

1ST RUY UEDA

2ND ORIOL CARDONA 3RD CHRISTIAN MATHYS

JPN ESP SUI

03:03:15 03:03:27 03:08:12

1ST DENISA DRAGOMIR 2ND SHEILA AVILÉS 3RD MARCELA VASINOVA

ROU ESP CZE

03:36:55 03:42:13 03:51:35

PHOTO © BORJA IBAN PHOTO

OCT

I came into this race simply honored to be here competing against the best women at such an iconic event. To win the SkyMasters is an indescribable feeling and one that will stay with me forever.

Denisa Dragomir, 2019 SkyMasters champion

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THE RIVALRY AND SPORTSMANSHIP OF THE SEASON RUY UEDA AND ORIOL CARDONA

A large crowd waits at the fi Lago di Garda. Tension is hi race almost since the start three minutes. Oriol Cardona his teeth and digs deep. He er. With just 3 km to go, the down the Japanese. They h side since day one of the sea Oriol, others by Ruy. There h Everything will be decided in than ten meters separate the towards the finish line. Epic. the tape, others wait for Ued the end of the road indicate t the Japanese. With tears in h that proclaims him the winn therefore, the winner of the enters the corridor after just some disappointment. The fi main rival. This sport is uniqu

No one could have imagine the one lived in the streets races, one final, and the ent mere twelve seconds. This

Ruy Ueda can’t hold back all over the world, fans, r there can feel his emotion Cardona and the pair embr cates sadness, but he does appreciation for the Japanes separate. The Spaniard take lifts it to the sky, turns to th gathered there and points t indicating that this is their ch sport like this. Each and ev fortunate to have lived this will go down in history.

Text: Kissthemountain

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PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

finish line on the shores of high. Ruy Ueda has led the t. He has an advantage of a, not far behind, clenches e knows it was now or nevSpaniard manages to hunt have been fighting side by eason. Some battles won by have been no better rivals. n the final meters. No more e two athletes as they march Some want Cardona to lift da. The shouts coming from that one is approaching. It is his eyes he puts on the bib ner of The SkyMasters and, World Series. The Catalan a few seconds. On his face, first thing he does is hug his ue.

ed an end as spectacular as of Limone. One season, 15 tire season is decided by a is Skyrunning.

his tears. Journalists from race organizers, everyone n. Finally, he turns to Oriol race. The latter’s face indinot hesitate to show all his se. After five seconds, they es the arm of the Japanese, he crowd of photographers to him with the index finger hampion. There is no other very person present feels s moment. A moment that

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THE NUMBER ONE SHEILA AVILÉS

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Sheila Avilés has dominated the season. The absence of her main rival, Johanna Åström, means her battle for the title is solely against Ragna Debats. It’s all or nothing. Last year the Dutch won all titles at stake.

Both Sheila and Ragna are born competitors. It’s written in their DNA.

PHOTO © MRSWS | ALEXIS BERG

Sheila Avilés plays her cards with great mastery. She lets the Romanian, Denisa Dragomir, take the lead. In fact, for the overall classification, she benefits from this situation. Already on the first hard climb she is a few minutes ahead of Ragna. Every step takes her closer to the title. She’s practically won. But many factors can influence this sport and she knows it’s not over until she crosses the finish line. Therefore, when she does, in second place, proclaiming herself the winner of the World Series, her facial expression changes from tension to satisfaction. She raises one finger in the air. I am number one. Looking around, she spots Andrés Arroyo, her coach. But she doesn’t go to him yet. Instead, she waits to congratulate Ragna Debats at the finish line. The Dutch woman arrives with her face disenchanted by the effort. They hug. Things are said in each other’s ear. They smile and share a kiss on the cheek. Once it’s over, she goes to her coach. She jumps on him and the two share an emotional embrace. One that will stay with them both forever.

Text: Kissthemountain

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RUY UEDA 2019 MEN’S SERIES CHAMPION

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SHEILA AVILÉS

PHOTO © MRSWS | SHO FUJIMAKI

2019 WOMEN’S SERIES CHAMPION

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