Júlia Font and Luca Del Pero were the two big winners of Gorbeia Suzien Skyrace, the 15th stage of the 2024 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series.
The Gorbeia Suzien Skyrace in Zeanuri, Bizkaia, once again, did not disappoint and the mountains were alive with the spirit and passion of the Basque Country. Over 600skyrunners from all over the world raced across the ridges and through the mud of the 32kilometre course, with 2,400 meters of elevation gain, in the Gorbeia National Park with thousands more able to watch the live screening of the race at home.
Last minute win by Júlia Font
What a finish in the women’s race! Spain’s Júlia Font (Brooks Running), claimed her victory of Gorbeia Suzien 2024 in a brilliant way. Just when it looked signed, sealed, delivered by Daniela Oemus of Germany (Nike Running), who took the lead from the start, Font dug deep in the final one kilometer of the race to catch Oemus and overtook just minutes before the finish. Font took the title after 3h45’39”, only seven seconds ahead of Oemus. Basque runner Onditz Iturbe (Domusa) closed the women’s podium.
Font comments: “Finally, my first win of the circuit. I have been chasing this all year and it has finally arrived. The last kilometer with Daniela was crazy! When I saw her, I couldn’t believe that I could have a chance to win and I gave everything I had. This race is incredible and I invite everyone to come because it’s really crazy.”
Luca Del Pero is crowned in Gorbeia
It was an impressive win for the men’s champion too. After two podiums this season, Italian runner, Luca Del Pero (Scarpa) more than deserved the winners’ bib. It was a solid race for Del Pero who stayed in the leading group the whole race and in the final part, overtook Manuel Merillas (New Balance) and stormed to victory with a time of 3h00’25”, just three minutes short of the record in very difficult and muddy conditions.
Merillas crossed the finish line in second place, just over a minute behind Del Pero and the Italian under 23 athlete, Lorenzo Rota (Scarpa), took the third step of the podium – an incredible performance from the young star who is currently leading the U23 ranking.
Luca Del Pero commented at the finish line: “Victory has finally come. It is my first win of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series. After the podiums in Calamorro Skyrace and Peru, finally the winner’s bib is mine. The level was very high today. With Merillas and Antonio Martinez it’s never easy to win. The weather was perfect for me, I really like the mud and I enjoyed it from the beginning to the end.”
The race director, Jurek Ziemkiewicz, pointed out that: “It was a spectacular race, with changeable weather and a lot of mud on the course, quite a spectacle with an exciting finish”. He also highlighted the “great atmosphere in Zeanuri and with a very big party.”
The Merrell Skyrunner® World Series representative, Seana Forbes, comments: “Gorbeia Suzien never disappoints! This year’s edition was incredible with a passionate crowd, tough conditions and a fierce fight. Luca Del Pero deserved his win and the fight between Julia and Daniela just minutes before the finish had everyone on their feet watching the live! Conditions were very muddy on the course but this is all part of the Basque charm and this is makes the race special. Thanks to the people of Zeanuri for their spirit and we look forward to coming back time and time again.”
All the overall results of the Gorbeia Suzien SkyRace 2024 can be viewed at this link: https://www.kronoak.com/live/2024/gorbeiasuzien/
You can see the overall male and female classification of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series at this link: https://www.skyrunnerworldseries.com/ranking/
The next race of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series will be on Saturday, October 5 in Thailand with the Inthanon Skyrace. Then the circuit will continue on the Asian continent, before returning to Spain with the EDP Sobrescobio Skyrace in Asturias on Sunday, October 27.
You can see the complete 2024 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series calendar of events in this link: https://www.skyrunnerworldseries.com/races/
