⚠️ Weather Forces Mid-Race Halt of Tatra SkyMarathon – Merrell Skyrunner® World Series Round 15.
Today’s Tatra SkyMarathon, part of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series held in the Tatra Mountains, was stopped mid-way through the race due to dangerous lightning and thunderstorm conditions.
Although the weather forecast appeared to be clear for the morning, the decision was made after weather conditions deteriorated rapidly mid-morning posing significant safety risks to athletes on the high-alpine sections of the course.
The top 8 males passed the final checkpoint before the weather took a turn and were able to complete the course. All other participants arriving after this were assisted down from their position on the ridge via the quickest and safest route.
SERIES IMPLICATIONS
Unlike a full cancellation, today’s race will still contribute to the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series rankings. Final results will be based on each athlete’s official time at their last completed checkpoint before the race was stopped and, therefore, there will still be an official top 10 ranking from today’s race. These times will be verified by timing staff and reviewed in accordance with series regulations.
An official results list and updated overall rankings will be published shortly on skyrunnerworldseries.com.
NILSSON AND AMARIEI COME OUT ON TOP
In the men’s race, Martin Nilsson of Sweden (team VJ Sports) was a cut above the rest. The Swedish athlete took the lead on the first climb and continued to dominate. Although Damien Humbert of France (team New Balance), and 2023 champion and local star, Krzystof Bodurka (team Salomon), put up a good fight, Nilsson was too strong today, arriving at the final checkpoint at kilometer 31 in first position after 3:22:37. Nilsson commented at the finish line that it was a surprise for him and it wasn’t until the final downhill that he knew he had a chance of winning.
After sitting in fourth for the first half of the race, Luca Del Pero of Italy (team Scarpa), managed to fight back on the final climb and took home silver with a time five minutes behind Nilsson. Humbert stayed strong and secured the final podium position six minutes behind Nilsson.
The women’s race was thrilling from start to finish. In the first climb, those watching the live show were treated to a vicious battle between the top three: Elena Karanfiloska of Macedonia and Romanians Denisa Dragomir (team Merrell) and Madalina Amariei (team Pegarun). Just before the final checkpoint at kilometer 23.9, the Romanians pushed ahead and it was Amariei who crossed the line first, just one second before Dragomir in 2:46:58. Karanfiloska closed the women’s podium two minutes later.
U23 SUCCESS FOR BRITISH YOUTH STARS
Luckily the sun shone on the U23 event and the 15-kilometer race, with 650 meters of elevation gain, was able to finish as planned. It was a great day for UK athletes with three British U23s on the podium.
In the men’s race Finlay Grant of the UK (team Scarpa) took first place with an incredible time of 1:02:23, followed by Tom Spencer (team Inov8) also of the UK, 35 seconds later. Marcos Villamuera of Spain (team Scarpa) closed the men’s podium 50 seconds behind.
In the women’s race Karina Andersen of the USA took the top spot with a time of 1:26:22, followed by another Brit, Louise Mitchell, three minutes later. 18 year old Ayla Blonde of Belgium closed the podium, one minute later.
The next stage of the 2025 calendar is the iconic Matterhorn Ultraks Extreme in Zermatt, Switzerland on the 22nd of August.
