The 2025 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series continued this Saturday under the shadow of Pico de Orizaba, the highest volcano in North America. Abraham Hernandez and Anastacia Rubtsova stormed to victory taking home the second winners bibs of the season.
The 35 km course, with almost 3,000 meters of climb, started at 05:00 am local time with skyrunner’s headtorches guiding them for the first uphill.
In the men’s race, Frederic Tranchand of France (team Merrell) and the defending champion, Abraham Hernandez of Mexico (team HOKA), broke off from the pack and pushed each other on the technical sections. The two were followed closely by Miguel Perez of Mexico and Scottish athletes Joacob Adkin (team New Balance) and Ross Gollan.
Just when it looked like the win was in the bag for Tranchand, Hernandez made one final push just before the finish which was just enough to see him claim the title for a second year running, 13 seconds ahead of Tranchand in second place. Third place went to Adkin.
In the women’s race, the unstoppable Anastacisa Rubtsova remained cool and in control throughout, regardless of the heat and high altitude. The 2024 overall champion was untouchable and stormed to her first – and surely not her last – victory of the season, placing ninth overall. Paola Morales of Columbia (team Track and Mountain) followed in second place and Alma Mendez of Mexico closed the women’s podium.
The Merrell Skyrunner® World Series continues next weekend with the Calamorro Skyrace in Benalmadena on the 5th of April.
