Although we continue in Asia, the next stop of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series travels to the Mediterranean, to Turkey, Antalya—specifically Kemer—to reach the eighth stage of the circuit, the Corendon Tahtali Run to Sky.
What characterizes the Corendon Tahtali Run to Sky is its linear and all-uphill route, starting from the crystal-clear Mediterranean beach of Çıralı up to the heights of the imposing Mount Tahtalı, one of the highest peaks in the region at 2,365 meters above sea level, following a path with an ancient origin—no less than from the Hellenistic era.
27 km and +2,600 meters of elevation gain, all uphill—the only linear race in the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series 2025, a real challenge to look back. A brutal and spectacular ascent.
Once again, the race counts for the overall and U23 categories.
Alain Santamaría, who earned his first 100 points after withdrawing from Acantilados, and Anastasia Rubtsova, provisional leader of the women’s overall, won by setting race records, both categories with very clear strategies from the winners.
In the women’s race, Anastasia Rubtsova dominated from the start, maintaining the lead and winning with full authority in a time of 3:17:11, setting a new record by improving the best race time by almost 36 minutes.
It’s worth highlighting her meritorious 11th place in the overall classification, proving she remains one of the strongest and most consistent athletes in the circuit, showing that being the current 2024 Skyrunner World Series champion was no coincidence.
Behind Anastasia came Carro Cabestre (ESP / Open Team), who made a comeback and overtook her teammate Naiara Irigoyen just a few kilometers from the finish, with Naiara completing the podium.
Noteworthy is Carro Cabestre, who is still U23 and continues to surprise every time she competes with the seniors, and Naiara Irigoyen, who returns to international competition after her unfortunate Calamorro Skyrace.
Although the race took place in Turkey, the men’s competition spoke Spanish, with the entire course being a constant duel between Alain Santamaría (ESP / Open Team), Nicolás Molina (ESP / La Sportiva), and José Manuel Quispe (PER / Merrell), pushing a fast pace from the start on the very beach of Kemer. From kilometer 18 onward, Alain, without stopping at the aid station, dropped Nico and José Manuel to reach the summit with steady strides, finishing in 2:46:23 and smashing the previous record by more than 35 minutes.
Nico Molina finished second just 57 seconds later, with José Manuel Quispe rounding out the podium three minutes behind.
U23
Carrodilla Cabestre, besides an impressive 2nd place overall, won the Esteban Olivero Trophy, proving she will be one of the favorites for the final at the Sobrescobio Redes Trail at the end of October.
In second place was Nikola Matkova, also a strong contender for the final.
In the men’s U23 category, the British Tom Spencer took the win, delivering a very solid race on complex, steep, and technical terrain, finishing seventh overall.
The Corendon Tahtalı Run to Sky has shown that Turkey can host a world-class event, overcoming the unfortunate setback in 2024 at Sagalassos.
And this is how the overall standings look after the visit to Turkish lands.
Next stop, the legendary Aosta Valley, with all it means to any mountain lover, at the town of Chatillon for the Monte Zerbion Skyrace.
The fourth edition of the event makes its debut in the World Series in the Skyrace category, featuring an up-and-down route of 22 km with +/- 2200 meters of elevation.
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