The last weekend of March, and the second consecutive weekend with a circuit event, marked the start of the first American side of the circuit, beginning in Veracruz, in the town of Orizaba. On a wild 35 km course, with a positive elevation gain of 2947 m and a negative elevation of 3555 m, it poses quite a challenge. In addition to the necessary endurance, a good ability to acclimatise to the altitude is essential, as well as excellent physical and mental preparation.

The race started at an altitude of 1244 m, reaching a maximum altitude of 3121 m above sea level, combining technical sections with steep and rocky terrain, forest trails, rocky mountain paths, compacted earth sections, and loose soil areas.

Additionally, one must be very attentive during the race to enjoy and appreciate the rich variety of local flora and fauna, characteristic of the altitude and climate of the area.

At 5:00 AM local time, still dark and with headlamps on, the race began, tackling the first climbs with the majestic Pico Orizaba emerging alongside the first rays of dawn.

In the women’s competition, the protagonist was once again Anastacia Rubtsova, the undisputed winner of the 2024 Skymasters and the circuit, with an incredible 45-minute lead over the second-place finisher, also setting a new course record with a time of 5:04:57 and once again entering the Top 10 of the overall standings, finishing in ninth place overall. Following Anastacia, the Colombian Paola Morales crossed the finish line, and in third place was Alma Jael, the first of the Mexican women who dominated the women’s Top 10.

In the men’s competition, for the second consecutive year, Abraham Hernández (Hoka team) took the victory with a time of 4:18:33, with a narrow margin of 13 seconds over Frederic Tranchand (4:18:46). More excitement was impossible, with both standing out from the start and running practically together throughout the race, although in the final descent Abraham managed to pull away from Fredo, with a finish as close as the one we saw last week at Acantilados del Norte between Luca del Pero and Roberto Delorenzi. In third place, 24 minutes behind, was the British New Balance runner Jacob Adkin. In the men’s Top 10, among the Mexican runners, the British Ross Gollan finished in sixth place.

Although it is still early to talk about the overall standings, starting the season leading is always a motivational boost. For now, we have Luca del Pero and Abraham Hernández leading the men’s overall, and Anastacia Rubtsova and Marta Martínez Abellán leading the women’s overall with 100 points. In second place are Roberto Delorenzi and Denisa Dragomir, and in third place are Naiara Irigoyen and Jakob Adkin.

We are sure that this coming Saturday, once again in Spain, in Málaga, Benalmádena, at the Calamorro Skyrunning organised by the Alpino Benalmádena club, the overall standings will begin to take shape.

For now, two parts of the circuit can be distinguished: the American part, with athletes who have chosen to start the season competing in the Mexico Sky Challenge and on 12 April in the Merrell Andes Mountain Skyrace in Chile, and the European part, with the bulk of European athletes who have chosen Acantilados del Norte and Calamorro Skyrace to start showing their cards.

More excitement is impossible to start this thrilling journey towards the Marató dels Dements: Home of the 2025 Merrel Skyrunning® World Series Skymasters.

Let’s talk about the favourites in Benalmádena… The list is impressive, both in the men’s and women’s categories.

The “veterans” of the race and the circuit, Iris Pessey (FRA), Denisa Dragomir (ROM), the Andorran Ariadna Fenes, and the Spanish team with Lide Urrestarazu, Naiara Irigoyen, Laia Montoya, and the leader Marta Martínez Abellán. The Canadian Kalie McCristal will be one to watch after her good performance at Acantilados. Making their debut in the circuit are the German Daniela Oeumus, who we will be watching closely to see how she handles the technical Mediterranean terrain, and the Kenyan Judith Jerono.

In the men’s category, leading the favourites is the Swiss Roberto Delorenzi, the current winner and record holder. Also noteworthy are Luca del Pero (ITA), who leads the overall after the victory at Acantilados, and his compatriot and debutant in the senior category Lorenzo Rota. From the Basque team, Aitor Blanco and Aitor Ajuria, along with Nico Molina and Alejandro Forcades, complete the Spanish expedition, although surely some other Spaniard will surprise us. Martin Nilsson from Sweden and the Americans Robbie Rorich and Morgan Elliot complete the list of favourites.

Although this year we will not be able to enjoy the streaming, which was spectacular last year in 2024, we will closely follow the development of the race.

Much strength to the entire Alpino Benalmádena team, led by Roge Macías, who will surely give their all to make the event a success.