After going from strength to strength, the U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero will return to the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series circuit in 2026, continuing its mission to showcase and develop the next generation of skyrunning superstars.
The Merrell Skyrunner® World Series builds on a series of exciting announcements by officially unveiling the 2026 U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero calendar, confirming another thrilling season for young elite athletes.
Following a highly successful 2025 season — which saw Claudia Corral of Spain and Great Britain’s Tom Spencer crowned U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero champions — the youth series has firmly established itself as a global proving ground for emerging talent. In 2025, the circuit attracted some of the most promising young skyrunners from around the world, many of whom made the transition to senior elite racing, underlining the series’ role as a key pathway within the sport.
A GLOBAL CIRCUIT
The 2026 U23 youth circuit will feature 11 races across 10 countries and 4 continents. Each event has been carefully selected, with race distances kept under 30km to protect young athletes and promote sustainable, long-term development within the sport.
The season will kick off in South America, starting with the iconic Merrell Cuatro Refugios 21km in Argentina on 22 February, followed by the Merrell Andes Mountain Skyrace (18km) in Chile.
The circuit then heads to Asia, with stops at Penang Skyrace (10km) in Malaysia and Ueda Skyrace (20km) in Japan.
A brief return to Europe follows, where athletes will take on Gorges du Tarn (25km) in France, racing on the same course as the senior elite field. The series then crosses back to South America for Ibarra Skyrace (22km) in Ecuador and Cordillera Blanca Skyrace (22km) in Peru.
The eighth stop brings the circuit to North America for Beast of Big Creek (22km), before the season concludes with a three-race European finale: Maga Skyrace (24km) in Italy, Gorbeia Suzien (21km) in Spain, and the grand final at Sobrescobio Skyrace (17km) in Asturias, Spain, on 25 October.
RULES
Athletes must complete a minimum of two races to qualify for the final. The male and female athletes with the highest cumulative points from their top three races, including the final, will be crowned 2026 U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero Champions.
PRIZE MONEY
A total prize purse of €10,000 will be distributed among the top three male and female athletes in the overall rankings. In addition, individual race prize money will be awarded at each event.
With a proven track record of launching future elite athletes, a truly global calendar, and a continued commitment to athlete development, the 2026 U23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero promises another landmark season for youth skyrunning. As young athletes from around the world line up to follow in the footsteps of their favourite stars, the series will once again offer a platform where emerging talent can test themselves on the world stage and take their first steps toward skyrunning’s highest level.
