The skyrunning community is gearing up for a thrilling weekend packed with action across two continents. For senior athletes, Saturday brings the final opportunity to earn crucial points toward the overall ranking at the 2Peaks Skyrace in South Korea and the Sobrescobio Skyrace in Spain. Then, on Sunday, the season’s rising stars will take center stage as the U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero champions are crowned.
KICKING OFF THE WEEKEND: 2PEAKS SKYRACE
The weekend begins on Saturday, October 25th at 8:00 a.m. (local time, GMT+9) in the Yeongnam Alps, South Korea, with the 2Peaks Skyrace, the 22nd stage of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series.
The 26 km course, featuring 2,130 meters of elevation gain, traverses two iconic peaks — Yeongchuksan and Sinbulsan — promising a demanding yet scenic challenge for the athletes.
Among the international elite taking the start line for the final time this season are:
Women: Current overall leader Anastasia Rubtsova (Team Bivium), Marcela Vašinová (Czech Republic), and Natalie Beadle (UK, Team Belgrave).
Men: Previous race winner Gianluca Ghiano (Italy, Team Brooks), William Boffelli (Italy, Team Kailas), Nico Molina (Spain, Team La Sportiva), Pascal Egli (Switzerland), and Morgan Elliot (USA, Team Merrell).
More info. HERE.
NEXT UP: SOBRESCOBIO SKYRACE
As the action continues, the Sobrescobio Skyrace kicks off at 9:00 a.m. CET in Asturias, Spain. This race marks the final opportunity for senior athletes to score points toward the overall ranking.
The course spans 32 km with 2,100 meters of elevation gain, set within the stunning Redes Natural Park in northern Spain — a true test of endurance and technical skill.
Elite Women:
Patricia Pineda (Spain, Team La Sportiva), Naiara Irigoyen (Spain, Open Team), Greta García (Spain, Team Asics), Oihana Zubillaga (Spain, Team Basque EMF), Elena Karanfiloska (North Macedonia), and Rosalía Zegarra (Peru, Team Wild Mate).
Elite Men:
Frédéric Tranchand (France, Team Merrell), Damien Humbert (France, Team New Balance), Alain Santamaría, Manuel Merillas, and Iu Nett (Spain, Team New Balance), Dimas Pereira (Spain, Team Asics), Oier Zubeldia (Spain, Team Basque EMF), and Martin Nilsson (Sweden, Team VJ Sports).
More info. HERE.
THE PINNACLE OF THE WEEKEND: U23 TROFEO ESTEBAN OLIVERO FINAL
The grand finale unfolds on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. CET with the Sobrescobio Speed Trail, the decisive race of the U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero. The fast and technical 17 km course, with 1,100 meters of elevation gain, blends runnable climbs with steep, demanding descents — a fitting stage to determine the best young skyrunners of 2025.
Men’s Overall Standings:
Tom Spencer (UK, Team Inov8) leads the rankings, followed closely by Finlay Grant (UK, Team Scarpa) and Fernando Huamami (Peru, Team Adidas Terrex) in third.
Women’s Overall Standings:
Carrodilla Cabestre (Spain, Open Team) and Claudia Corral (Spain, Team Scarpa) are tied for first, with Nikola Matková (Slovakia) in second and Rachel Hebaus (UK) in third.
The Merrell Skyrunner® World Series introduced the TROFEO ESTEBAN OLIVERO U23 in memory of Esteban Olivero, the promising young skyrunner who tragically passed away at the end of 2023. This dedicated ranking aims to support, recognize, and protect emerging athletes, providing a platform for them to shine while promoting a safe and healthy racing environment. The initiative features separate prize money, an independent points system, and a distinctive winner’s bib for the U23 champions.
With decisive races unfolding across South Korea and Spain, this weekend marks a defining moment in the 2025 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series. Athletes from around the world will push their limits one final time, closing an unforgettable season that continues to elevate the sport’s competitive and international spirit.
