The Calamorro Skyrace 2025 concluded today with remarkable performances by Italy’s Luca Del Pero and Spain’s Patricia Pineda, who secured victories in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively, with Del Pero also setting the new course record.
The Calamorro Skyrace, a key fixture in the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series, is renowned for its demanding course that tests the limits of elite athletes. This year’s race attracted top talent from around the globe, all vying for supremacy on the rugged trails of Benalmádena’s mountainous landscape. With a 500 euro bonus being awarded to those fast enough to break the records the pressure was on from the beginning.
In the men’s race Luca Del Pero of Italy (team Scarpa) put on a masterclass in keeping calm under pressure, navigating the 27.5-kilometer course with 2,270 meters of elevation gain in a stunning display of strength and precision. His victory today was made even more dramatic by the intense rivalry with Swiss skyrunner Roberto Delorenzi (team Brooks). The two athletes pushed each other throughout the race, trading leads on the steep ascents and technical descents, before Del Pero pulled ahead in the final stretch to secure the win, knocking a minute off the record set previously set by Delorenzi, with a new best time of 2:24:19. Delorenzi finished in second place, almost two minutes behind, followed by Nico Molina of Spain (team La Sportiva) in third place.
The new champion, Del Pero, comments: “I think this was one of the best races of my career. It was a really hard battle with Roberto and Nico for the whole race. I took Roberto on the last downhill and then in the last little uphill I had to push, not just to escape from him but also to get the record time, that for me is a very incredible time. The race was amazing and I can’t put into words how happy I am feeling right now.”
In the women’s category, Patricia Pineda of Spain (team La Sportiva) was the dark horse of the day. Race favourite, Denisa Dragomir of Romania (team Merrell / Red Bull), pushed hard in the first uphill and managed to keep her lead until the final few kilometers when Pineda unexpectedly dropped a gear and left Dragomir in the dust. Pineda crossed the finish line in first place after 3:01:51, just two minutes short of the record. Dragomir followed less than a minute behind and skyrunning legend, Elisa Desco of Italy (team Scarpa), who returned to the World Series after a three-year break, closed the women’s podium with a time 3:05:13.
Pineda comments: “I still don’t believe it. After a long time without competing at the high level and being here today with all the elite athletes at the start line, my goal was to be at the top positions, but I didn’t expect to win the race. Now it seems that I’m back and I’m really excited about being here again. I have been training really hard to be here with the excitement and the goal of competing at the highest level again.”
Spain’s Carodilla Cabestre (Open Team) and Miguel Benitz (team Asics) also took home the titles in the U23 race with both young stars placing 5th overall – stunning performances from the future stars.
Race organizers expressed satisfaction with the event’s success, noting the high level of competition and the athletes’ exemplary performances. The Calamorro Skyrace continues to solidify its reputation as a premier event in the skyrunning calendar, offering both participants and spectators an exhilarating experience.
Full results can be found here: https://www.kronoak.com/live/2025/calamorroskyrace/
The Merrell Skyrunner® World Series continues next weekend with the Andes Mountain Marathon in Chile on the 12th of April.
Photos: Antton Guaresti
