Minotaur Skyrace Returns as the 12th Stop of the 2025 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series.
The legendary Minotaur Skyrace is set to challenge the world’s toughest skyrunners as it returns this Saturday, 21st of June, as the 12th race in the 2025 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series. Known for its raw terrain, brutal elevation gains, and unmatched technical sections, this Canadian gem is one of the most demanding skyraces on the planet.
Starting in the community of Blairmore, Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, the epic 33km route with 2,900 meters of elevation gain, follows Minotaur Ridge up to the summit of Bluff Mountain along open, steep rocky ridges. After that, the race climbs to the highest point of the course at 2,310 metres, through true Canadian Wilderness, where the Prairies meet the Rockies. After this it’s a lot of technical ridge running, remote alpine valley crossings and a rough scree descent back to the finish line in Blairmore.
“The Minotaur Skyrace isn’t just a race. It’s a rite of passage,” says Seana Forbes, Head of Operations for the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series. “The passionate organisation team here has built a course that respects the mountain and demands the same from every runner who lines up at the start. It’s a race where the whole community gets involved and the energy here in Canada is always electric.”
Elite skyrunners from around the globe will descend on Alberta to compete for vital series points and prize money, with both men’s and women’s fields stacked with top contenders. As the 12th race in the series, the Minotaur Skyrace plays a pivotal role in the chase for the overall 2025 title.
The women’s field features the two-time winner, Emma Cook-Clarke of Canada (team Arc’teryx). Cook-Clarke will be defending her title against local stars Kalie McCrystal, Olympic Skier Janelle Smiley (team Arc’teryx), and Frederica Blouin-Comeau. International females include Therese Arvik of Norway (team Salomon), Kusuda Suzuha of Japan (team Sky Kyoto) and Isabell Speer of Austria (team Salomon).
In the men’s field, the 2023 winner ,Jackson Cole, of the USA (team La Sportiva) will be at the starting line again. Cole will be joined by strong Canadians Karl Augsten and Brendan Morden. International elite athletes joining the world series in Alberta this weekend include Daniel Antonioli of Italy (team Scarpa), Abraham Hernandez of Mexico (team Hoka), and Lucas Mouret of Andorra (team Inverse).
The race starts this Saturday 07:00 am local time.
More info.: https://meettheminotaur.com/minotaur/
