The 2024 Skyrace des Matheysins is Set to Thrill Athletes and Spectators Alike with Jaw-dropping Elite Field and Live Broadcasting of France’s Most Iconic Skyrace.
St. Honoré, France – April 30, 2024 – Skyrunners and outdoor enthusiasts are gearing up for an adrenaline-pumping experience as Skyrace des Matheysins returns for another exhilarating edition. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the French Alps, this prestigious event promises an unparalleled test of skill, endurance, and sheer determination for the third stage of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series.
Scheduled to take place this Sunday 5th of May, Skyrace des Matheysins will see participants from over 35 nationalities converge in St. Honoré, France, ready to tackle the rugged mountain terrain and push their limits to new heights. With its challenging course and stunning vistas, the race offers an unmatched opportunity for athletes to showcase their prowess and passion for skyrunning.
The incredible 25 km course with 2,000 meters of elevation gain navigates technical ascents, rocky descents and traverses alpine ridges with a maximum altitude of 2,389 meters on the summit of Le Tabor. The challenge is guaranteed to push the elite field to their physical and mental limits as they strive to conquer the course and take home the third winners’s bib of the 2024 Merrell Skyrunner®World Series season.
Top athletes in the female field include:
Iris Pessey of France (team Scott Running), who will be returning to the SWS after an injury late last year; 2021 champion Johanna Åström of Sweden (team Arc’teryx); 2023 3rd place, Hillary Gerardiof the USA (team Scarpa / Black Diamond); 2023 first runner up Noemie Vachon of France (team Brooks Running); Lide Urrestarazu of the Basque Country (team Basque Selection); Bailey Kowalczyk of the USA (team Nike Running); Kalie McCyrstal of Canada (team Ciele Athletics); Anastasia Rubtsova; Ikram Rharsalla of Spain (team Millet) and Ana Maria Pinneda of Colombia (team Merrell).
Iris Pessey comments: “Last year Matheysins was a great race. I have always enjoyed this race and the organization. It is a course that is quite varied as in the beginning is very runnable and then it gets technical and snowy. So I think you need to be a fully skilled and complete runner to perform here. This year I know I will not perform at the same level as in previous years as I got surgery not long ago and I am just restarting to try to get in shape again but it is the perfect race to kick off my season. I am going with no expectation to perform at my best but I am fully okay with it and just want to be back on the circuit and enjoy the ride. I am so grateful. The Merrell Skyrunner World Series has continued to support me through my surgery and always being here in the low and high moments. In a way it is very relaxing to go in a race with low expectations.”
The leading men for Saturday’s race include:
Reigning champion, Frederic Tranchand of France (team Scott Running); 2023 overall winner, Antonio Martinez of Spain (team Asics); the current overall ranking leader and winner of the past two races, Roberto Delorenzi of Switzerland (team Brooks Running); Manuel Merillas of Spain (team New Balance); Nadir Maguet of Italy (team La Sportiva); Louison Coiffet of France (team Merrell); Loic Robert of France (team Kiprun); and Shoma Otagiri of Japan (team Merrell).
Skyrace des Matheysins is also a YOUTH race, therefore it will award points towards the U23 ranking.
For those unable to participate in the race itself or watch from the sidelines, the race will be broadcast live around the world from 08:30 am local time.
Full elite list here: https://www.skyrunnerworldseries.com/skyrace-des-matheysins-2024-elite-field/
