This weekend, the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series travels to Southern France for the 11th stage of the circuit: Gorges du Tarn Skyrace. Known for its technical, rocky trails and wild vegetation, all set in a unique landscape recognised by UNESCO.
The picturesque town of St Enimie, half way between the Pyrenees and the Alps, prepares to welcome top skyrunners this Saturday for the 23rd edition of Gorges du Tarn Skyrace – 25km with 1,800m+. The race is also the 7th stage of the U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero, awarding points towards the youth ranking and, therefore, we can expect to see an exceptionally high level of young athletes this weekend.
The race will also be broadcast LIVE, giving fans around the world a chance to watch their favourite athletes battle it out on the cliffside trails through the breathtaking Gorges du Tarn.
To add an extra level of competition, the race has offered a €500 bonus to the male and female fast enough to beat the records set by Oihana Kortazar (2:51:58) and Roberto Delorenzi (2:19:26) in 2024.
Top male athletes who will be lining up at Saturday’s starting line include: the current leader of the overall ranking, Luca del Pero of Italy (team Scarpa); last year’s Gorges du Tarn winner, Roberto Delorenzi of Switzerland (team Brooks); French runners Frederic Tranchand (team Merrell), Johann Baujard (team Wise Ultra Running), and Jules Delabelle (team Merrell); as well as Basque elites, Aitor Blanco (team Euskal Selekzioa), and Aitor Zunzunegui (team Osin Trail). The U23s “ones to watch” include Spain’s, Ibai Cebrian (team Euskal Selekzioa), Lluis Puigvert (team Salomon / FEEC) and Lucien Mermillion of France (team Rossignol).
The women’s elite field includes: Patricia Pineda of Spain (team La Sportiva), Alice Bausseron of France (team New Balance), Celia Balcells of Spain (team Merrell), Oihana Zubillaga of Spain (team Euskal Selekzioa), Daniela Rota of Italy (team Scott), and Aina Cusi of Spain (team Merrell). Leading the U23 category we have: Alexandra Whitaker of the UK (team Scarpa), Gabriela Lasalle of Spain (team Nike), Judith Soriano of Spain (team Lurbel), and Martina Gonfaus of Spain (team La Sportiva).
Live broadcast starts at 09:30 am, Saturday, June the 7th. Tune in live HERE.
