At first glance, a SkyRace like Mt. Kinabalu may seem quite simple: climb to the summit and return to the start along the same route. Nothing complicated.
In reality, it is anything but simple. The ascent covers 12.25 km with more than 2,500 metres of vertical gain, reaching the 4,095 m summit of Low’s Peak before runners must tackle the demanding descent back down.
Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon has been held since 1987, bringing worldwide recognition to Southeast Asia’s highest peak and becoming one of Sabah’s main sporting and tourist attractions. Beyond being a premier outdoor destination that has attracted climbers and skyrunners from around the world for decades, the surrounding area boasts breathtaking natural beauty within a UNESCO Global Geopark.
@_guaresti_
The race was part of the Skyrunner World Series until 2010 before making its return to the circuit in 2025.
Names such as Kilian Jornet, Luis Alberto Hernando, Bruno Brunod and Marco De Gasperi helped establish the Mount Kinabalu Climbathon as one of the iconic races in skyrunning. Today, a new generation of athletes has taken over and now dominates the discipline.
One of the challenges of late-season races, and something we know very well at Dements, is that many athletes arrive with little left in the tank after a long campaign. This factor, together with the significant distance between Malaysia and both Europe and the Americas, may explain the limited participation of some of the elite athletes currently racing the circuit. Nevertheless, the event remains a major reference point in Malaysia, attracting strong local participation.
The event extends across three days and features three distances::
- Timpohon Run – 9,8 km
- Tropical Rainforest Run – 28 km
- Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon, MSWS
When a race is divided into two completely different sections, as Mt. Kinabalu Intl. Climbathon, a brutal climb followed by a fearsome descent, situations like this year’s can happen. Daniel Antoniolli (ITA/Scarpa) and Svetlana Nurmukhametova posted the fastest ascents, but the overall victories eventually went to June Villarroel (ESP/La Sportiva) and Alex Oberbacher (ITA/La Sportiva).
Men’s Race
Daniel Antoniolli was the first athlete to reach Low’s Peak. After checking in at the summit control point, he turned around and immediately began the descent. Oberbacher reached the summit in second place but gradually closed the gap on the way down, first across the famous granite slabs and later through the humid rainforest, eventually overtaking his compatriot and crossing the finish line almost three minutes ahead.
Despite reaching the summit in third position, Shoma Otagiri was also overtaken during the descent by the surprise package of the day, Salomon athlete Evgeny Markov from Russia.
The men’s top five was completed by Shoma Otagiri and local runner Vitus Daimi.
Women’s Race
The women’s race followed a very similar script.
One of the revelations of the season, Russia’s Svetlana Nurmukhametova, produced an outstanding climb and was first to reach the summit, followed by June Villarroel (ESP/La Sportiva) and Vanja Cnops (BEL/T8).
However, Svetlana could not match June’s pace on the descent. The Spanish athlete eventually moved into the lead and crossed the finish line nine minutes ahead. It was a well-deserved reward for one of the circuit’s most consistent and courageous athletes, who is finishing the season in outstanding form.
Vanja Cnops held on to third place, securing her first-ever MSWS podium.
The women’s top five was completed by Man Yee Cheung (HKG) and Boyoung Jang (KOR/The North Face).
Overall Standings and New SkyMasters Qualifiers
Round 17 of the circuit provided a perfect opportunity for three athletes who are likely to play major roles at the SkyMasters to complete their fourth race of the season and officially secure qualification for the final:
- Shoma Otagiri (JAP/Merrell)
- Alex Oberbacher (ITA/La Sportiva)
- Svetlana Nurmukhametova (RUS)
With the overall standings now almost settled, only a handful of leading contenders remain focused on securing qualification in the final race before the SkyMasters, including Sara Alonso (ESP/Asics) and Frederic Tranchand (FRA/Merrell).
As always, the overall ranking published after each race is our own Dements Version, created to help us analyse and predict the season. Although we strive to keep it as accurate and updated as possible, it is not an official ranking. The only official standings are those published by the MSWS:
https://www.skyrunnerworldseries.com/ranking/
Last Stop: Sobrescobio Redes Trail Skyrace®
After months of racing through mountains and clouds across the globe, the 2026 MSWS season reaches its final stop before the SkyMasters: the Sobrescobio Redes Trail Skyrace, held in the heart of Asturias’ Redes Natural Park.
Endless forests, rugged ridgelines, technical trails and spectacular scenery will provide the stage where the final SkyMasters spots are decided before the curtain falls on the season.
Born from the mountains and the local community, the race has grown into one of the leading events in international skyrunning. Thirty-two kilometres of pure skyrunning, more than 2,100 metres of vertical gain and terrain that is as demanding as it is beautiful.
Asturias awaits those looking for one last chance to qualify for Dements, as well as those hoping to improve their position before the final:
*Pending classification for the SkyMasters (must complete one event):
|
|
In addition, the U23 Esteban Olivero Trophy Final will bring together the future stars of skyrunning as they battle for the youth world crown.
Let’s take a look at the ranking before the grand final. It doesn’t get any more exciting than this.
