The circuit heads to Asia to return once again to Malaysia. Ueda Skyrace® in Japan next week, today Kailas Penang Skyrace®, 5th race of the MSWS 2026.
The lush jungle of Penang Hill once again became the stage to test skyrunners under extreme humidity and on a highly technical, demanding and winding terrain that makes fast racing extremely difficult.
A must‑attend event for mountain‑running lovers across the Asia‑Pacific region, featuring 4 distances:
- 5 km amb +/- 523 m
- 10 km amb +/- 972 m, Skyrace U23
- 50 km amb +/- 2772 m
- 30 km, Skyrace, 30 km +/- 2400 m
The sky race course is a continuous up‑and‑down through exotic and demanding mountain and rainforest trails, with extreme humidity and temperatures between 24 ºC and 32 ºC. Hydration is therefore an essential part of race strategy — not only to aim for victory, but simply to finish the race in healthy conditions.
The favourites lived up to expectations and, except for the final positions, the predictions were fulfilled in both the overall and U23 categories.
Except for Elena Karanfiloska (MKD/Lurbel), the rest of the women were starting their season in the circuit here. It was different for the men: for Nico Molina (ESP/Scott) this was his second race of the season, while Merrell athletes Morgan Elliott (USA) and Weston Hill (NZL) were already on their third Sky race of the year.
Woman’s race
The women’s race delivered one of the most thrilling finishes in recent seasons, with Russian athlete Svetlana Nurmukhametova overtaking North Macedonian skyrunner Elena Karanfiloska just metres before the MSWS black finish arch, winning by only 3 seconds.
Elena dominated almost every split, and from the 3‑minute gap at the first checkpoint, Svetlana progressively closed the difference until passing her in the final straight. More excitement would be impossible.
The women’s podium was completed by Belgian runner Tanja Cnops (T8), with Karina Andersen (USA/Joma) and China’s Li Ping Wang rounding out the top 5.
Men’s race
In the men’s race, Spanish runner Nico Molina (Scott Team) dominated, reaching the finish line with a 7‑minute lead over Japanese athlete Shoma Otagiri. There was little battle behind, as the top‑5 positions remained almost unchanged throughout the race.
After Nico came Merrell’s Japanese runner Shoma Otagiri, who had a fantastic top‑10 performance at the 2024 Skymasters in Eslida. We hope to see him again on the circuit this season.
The podium was completed by Icelandic runner based in Malaysia, Kristjan Chapman (Kailas Fuga), with Weston Hill (NZL/Merrell) and Lucas Mouret (FRA/Inverse) closing the top 5.
Morgan Elliott, despite leading early and passing the first checkpoint in first position, finished 15th after digestive issues prevented him from fighting for the top spots, though he still managed to score points. He will surely try again next week at Ueda Skyrace®.
OVERALL
After 5 races, there are no changes in the top positions of the overall ranking. However, next weekend, with two red races (1.5), movement in the general classification is almost guaranteed, and we may even see the first athletes securing qualification for the 2026 Skymasters.
U23 Trofeu Esteban Olivero
While Saturday was the turn of the open category, Sunday saw the U23 category take centre stage on the 10 km course with +/- 972 m.
Jan Ballbé (ESP/Dynafit) and Nikola Matkova (SVK/Inverse) were victorious in both the open and U23 categories, giving the local runners no chance.
@sws
Double Event: Skyrace® des Matheysins & Ueda Skyrace®
As in previous editions, this will be a weekend with two races:
- Sunday, May 3rd in France: Skyrace® des Matheysins
- Monday, May 4th in Japan: Ueda Skyrace®
Both are red races (x1.5), offering great opportunities for intense battles and valuable points to consolidate positions in the overall ranking.
In Saint Honoré, at Skyrace des Matheysins®, partiran amb les màximes opcions de victòria Elena Karanfiloska (MKD/Lurbel), després de les dues brillants curses a la Calamorro Skyrace i ahir a Penang Skyrace, i en la part masculina Frederic Tranchand (FRA/Merrell). Lucien Mermillon (FRA/Rossignol)
@sws
The Japanese race also counts toward the U23 Esteban Olivero Trophy.
Regarding the favourites for the Ueda Skyrace®, the Asian mini‑tour concludes for Karina Andersen (USA/Joma), Nikola Matkova (SVK/Inverse), Nico Molina (ESP/Scott), Shoma Otagiri (JPN/Merrell), Morgan Elliott (USA/Merrell), Weston Hill (NZL/Merrell) and Lucas Mouret (FRA/Inverse).
Joining those who raced yesterday in Malaysia, notable women include Takako Takamura (JAP), Amanda Nilson (SWE/Hoka), Marcela Vasinova (CZE), Edamoto Kanako (JAP), Lina El Kott (SWE/Merrell) and Hayashi Kaede (JAP/Ssessionzz).
In the men’s field: Kesete Habtetsion Berhane (JAP), Edgar Dumas (FRA/Lurbel), Ichge Fujio (JAP/Merrell) and Liam Mackenzie (AUS/Merrell).
In the U23 category — which unlike in Malaysia will race together with the elite — key contenders include Nikola Matkova (SVK/Inverse), Rachel Hebaus (USA) and Owen Alexandra Hattie (GBR) for the women, and Jan Ballve (ESP/FEEC Dynafit) and Marcos Villamuera (ESP/Scarpa) for the men.
