Today, the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series went vertical – straight from sea to summit at the Corendon Tahtalı Run to Sky, the eighth stage of the 2025 circuit.
The 27 kilometers course with over 2,600 meters of climbing, started on the beach in Kemer, Antalya. One brutal mission: race from the beach to the region’s highest point, at 2,365 meters above sea level.
In the men’s race, it was Spain versus Peru—Alain Santamaría (Open Team), Nicolás Molina (Team La Sportiva), and José Manuel Quispe (team Merrell / CIVA) charging hard from the start. The trio climbed in sync for much of the race, but at the aid station around 18K, Santamaria made his move and powered straight through and opened a gap. By the summit, Santamaria had sealed his first win of the 2025 series. The Spanish athlete smashed the previous record by 35 minutes, with a new best time of 02:46:23. Molina followed in second place, 57 seconds behind and Quispe closed the men’s podium 3 minutes later–all three faster than the previous record.
On the women’s side, Anastasia Rubtsova did what she does best—dominated from the gun. The Russian climber stormed to the front and never looked back. Behind her, U23 star Carrodilla Cabestre (Open Team) passed her teammate Naiara Yrigoyen, both of Spain, to take second. Big move, big result for the rising star. Rubstova stormed to victory with a new female record time of 03:17:11, placing 11th overall. Cabestre followed nine minutes behind, and Irigoyen closed the women’s podium, two minutes later.
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCES FROM U23 STARS
The race was also a part of the U23 Esteban Olivero, therefore awarding points to the youth ranking. Both U23 winners pulled off outstanding performances, placing within the top 10. Carrodilla Cabestre ranked 2nd overall and Tom Spencer of the UK (team Inov8) placed 7th.
Full Results HERE.
The series continues next weekend with Monte Zerbion Skyrace in Chatillon, Italy on the 17th of May.
