This weekend, the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series travels to Benalmadena, Malaga, for the Calamorro Skyrace, the third stage of the 2025 circuit and second stage of the MSWS U23 race calendar.
The 27-kilometer race, with 2,270 m+ is characterized by having three main climbs. The first climb is known as the most iconic, with a technical scrambling section. In order to avoid high temperatures common at this time of year in the area, the race will start at 17:00.
To add an extra level of competitiveness to the event, there is a 500 euro bonus for breaking the records, which currently stand at 2:25:40 (Roberto Delorenzi) and 2:59:08 (Sara Alonso) set in 2024. A bonus will also be awarded to the best climbers of the day with 250 euro going to the fastest male and female to reach the top of the second climb.
BIG NAMES IN THE OVERALL
As usual, Calamorro has attracted the best of the skyrunning elites. Top females this weekend include the 2023 winner, Iris Pessey of France (team Scott); Denisa Dragomir of Romania (team Merrell / Red Bull); Daniela Oemus of Germany (team Nike Trail); Spain’s Lide Urrestarazu (team Basque EMF), Naiara Irigoyen (Open team) and Marta Martinez (team La Sportiva); Kalie McCrystal of Canada; and Judith Jerono of Kenya (team Merrell / OTSO).
In the men’s field, Roberto Delorenzi of Switzerland (team Brooks) will defend his title against his rival for the season, Luca Del Pero of Italy (team Scapra). Other strong contenders for the title include Spain’s Aitor Blanco (team Basque EMF), Aitor Ajuiria (team Basque EMF), Alejandro Forcades and Nico Molina (team La Sportiva); Lorenzo Rota of Italy (team Scarpa); Morgan Elliot of the USA (team Merrell) and Martin Nilsson of Sweden (team VJ).
RISING STARS IN THE U23 CATEGORY
As in 2024, the Calamorro Skyrace is also part of the U23 category – a ranking designed to highlight the new and upcoming stars of the sport.
Interesting names in the female youth category include Spain’s Carrodilla Cabestre (Open Team), Martina Gonfaus (team La Sportiva), and Laia Calzada (team FEEC), as well as Nikola Matkova of Slovakia and Anna Verdet of France.
In the U23 men’s field, Spain’s Marcos Villamuera (team Scarpa), Miguel Benitz (team Asics), and Lluis Puigvert (team Salomon / FEEC), Tom Spencer of the UK (team Inov8), and Aniol Pujiula of France (team Sidas Matryx) are all ones to watch.
The race starts this Saturday, the 5th of April at 17:00 pm local time.
For more information and to follow the latest updates on Calamorro Skyrace and the 2025 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series, visit www.skyrunnerworldseries.com , www.calamorro.com,
or follow @skyrunning on social media.
