With the spectacular images of the Skymasters 2024 still fresh in our minds, a new journey in the Merrell Skyrunning® World Series is about to begin. In just a few days, the circuit will kick off at Acantilados del Norte on the island of La Palma and, for the second consecutive year, will conclude at our home—La Marató dels Dements, the Official Host of the Merrell Skyrunning® World Series Skymasters.
This year, the series embarks on an extensive journey across the world, arriving to Eslida and Aín after 23 stops spanning four continents. The world’s elite skyrunners will compete in countries including Spain, Mexico, Chile, Malaysia, Japan, Turkey, Italy, Austria, France, Canada, Ecuador, Peru, Poland, Sweden, Ireland, and South Korea, before concluding the circuit in the Serra d’Espadà on November 8th.
Many of the stars from Skymasters 2024 will be present at the first race of 2025 in Acantilados del Norte. Leading the men’s field will be the podium finishers of the 2024 Marató dels Dements: Roberto De Lorenzi, winner of both the race and the overall circuit; Luca Del Pero; and Manuel Merillas. Other familiar names joining the opening race include Lorenzo Beltrami, Dimas Pereira, Aitor Blanco, Marcel Romaní, Iu Net, and Marc Gasa. Top contenders expected to vie for the overall circuit title in Eslida include Morgan Eliott, Anders Kjaerevik, Robert Rorich, Thibault Leroy, Marco Delorenzi, Alejandro Forcades, Aitor Ajuria, Miguel Benítez, Cristian Ibañez, Jan Balbé, and Aimar Azpiroz.
In the women’s category, although reigning circuit champion and last year’s Skymasters winner in Eslida, Anastacia Rubtsova, will not be competing, we will still witness some of the key figures from last year’s final. The indomitable Oihana Kortazar, along with Lide Urrestarazu; Laia Montoya—winner of the 2024 Mitja d’Aín and the U23 Esteban Olivero circuit; Julia Garriga; and internationals Denisa Dragomir and Iris Pessey will all be on the start line. Other international athletes to watch include Ariadna Fenes, Kalie McCristal, Valeria Merkureva, and Claudia Sieder, as well as top national competitors like Naiara Irigoyen, Marta Martínez Abellán, Aina Cusí, June Villarroel, María del Mar Pastor, and Carla Esclusa.
The rest of the names of athletes that we already know, and surely many that we will come to know, will start their journey to Dements in the following races of the circuit. We look forward to seeing you.
The circuit begins in the stunning landscapes of Garafía and Barlovento, two key areas of Isla Bonita. Like the Serra d’Espadà, these regions are home to protected natural spaces of great beauty. The race will be a tough challenge, covering 29 km with 2,015 meters of elevation gain and 2,242 meters of technical terrain along La Palma’s historic coastal trails.
