After completing the first South American stage of the circuit, we arrive in Europe!
The beautiful island, the spectacular island of La Palma, full of contrasts between lunar‑looking volcanic landscapes and wild nature, where the humidity in the deep ravines contrasts with the high temperatures and the wind on the summits, makes the 29 km with more than 2000 m +/- of elevation gain, which follow part of the restored GR 130 (Royal Coastal Path), a true experience for anyone taking part in the race.
@SWS
There are a lot of races to take part in, but you really must visit Acantilados at least once, and a small group of Dements were there to enjoy it – and to suffer a little as we made our way through those incredible ravines.
Having organised Dements for several editions, it’s always very rewarding to see things from the inside, whether running or helping at the various events. It’s an opportunity to experience them first-hand, take plenty of notes and learn for our own continuous growth. A huge thank you to the organisers for welcoming us and making us part of the race; we loved your hospitality and warmth.
 |  |  |  |
@maratodelsdements
@maratodelsdements
Acantilados del Norte Skyrace®,a point to point race that one year starts in Santo Domingo de Garafía and finishes in Barlovento, and the following year is run in the opposite direction. In this edition, the start was in Garafía and the finish in Barlovento.
Red race, worth 1.5 points, with maximum competition among an amazing list of elite European skyrunners, many of whom can be said to begin their season here. Among the men, the main favourites were Manuel Merillas (ESP/New Balance), Frédéric Tranchand (FRA/Merrell), Alain Santamaría (ESP/XBionic Integrity), who had won the Transgrancanaria Half the previous week, and Dimas Pereira (ESP/Asics). Among the women, the 2025 winner Marta Martínez (ESP/FYE), Patricia Pineda (ESP/La Sportiva), Greta García (ESP/Asics), Amanda Nilsson (SWE/Hoka) and, with a last‑minute registration, Sara Alonso (ESP/Asics), were the main contenders. Last‑minute withdrawals included Naira Irigoyen (ESP/XBionic Integrity) due to an unexpected sprain and Denisa Dragomir (ROM/Merrell).
Men’s race: starting the European tour just as 2025 ended
At 9 a.m. local time, Depa began the countdown in Garafía on a windy, partly cloudy morning, and just a few metres after the start, the runners headed straight into the first descent.
Some runners had unfinished business with Acantilados: Manuel and Alain arrived highly motivated, and we already know Frédéric’s reliability in competition.
Dimas set off very fast, trying to impose the pace, but he was unable to drop either Frédéric or Manuel, who passed together through Don Pedro, the first checkpoint at km 9, followed less than a minute later by Dimas, with Alain in fourth place. At km 18, in Franceses, Merillas had already managed to gain a few seconds on Tranchand; Santamaría overtook Dimas, who passed in fourth.
The podium positions did not change again until the finish line, with the gaps remaining small but sufficient for Manuel Merillas, for the first time in his participations in La Palma, to claim the long‑awaited victory, followed by Frédéric Tranchand and, closing the podium, Alain Santamaría. Dimas took risks, ran an excellent first half of the race, but gradually lost positions until finishing 11th.
Completing the top 5 were Damien Bogdan (ROM/Kailas Fuga) and French runner Loïc Robert. Worth highlighting is the performance of the young Spanish contingent, who filled the remaining top‑10 positions: Paul Ormaetxea (Euskal Selekzioa), Lluís Puigvert (Salomon), Jaime Romo (La Sportiva), Gontzal Murgoitio (Brooks) and Ibai Larrea (XBionic Integrity).
 @_guaresti_ |  @_guaresti_ |
@SWS
Women’s race: Sara Alonso veni, vidi, vici
Until five days before the race, Sara was not even registered. But since the runner from Donostia is pure energy, she requested a bib and travelled to La Palma to begin her 2026 season after some minor health issues earlier in the year.
Sara set her own pace from the start. Patricia Pineda managed to stay with her until almost halfway through the course, but at the km 18 aid station, Sara Alonso already passed with about six minutes of advantage — a gap that allowed her to reach the finish line in Barlovento setting a new course record in the west‑to‑east direction.
Marta Martínez, the defending champion, held third place throughout the entire race.
Behind her, the top 5 was completed by Swedish runner Amanda Nilsson (Hoka) and Norwegian athlete Shangave Balendran (Team Patagonia/VJ).
Just like in the men’s classification, the top 10 — with an exceptional level — was completed, in order, by: Greta García (Asics), Laia Montoya (New Balance), Ohiana Zubillaga (Euskal Selekzioa), Bel Calero (Joma Trail) and German runner Tanja Löwenhagen (Bix Nutrition).
@Maratodelsdements
Acantilados del Norte Skyrace®, although this edition was the third race of the circuit, it can be considered the starting point for the favourites aiming to become the next Skyrunning World Champions. Without a doubt, the organising team, led by Jairo Ponce, is largely responsible for this success and for attracting such an impressive field of world‑class runners. Everyone wants to come to Acantilados del Norte in La Palma.
Overall
The cards are starting to be laid on the table, and it’s now clear which European runners are revealing their intentions for this season’s Merrell Skyrunner World Series, which — in case anyone isn’t aware — will conclude with the Skymasters final in Eslida and Aín, as part of the Marató dels Dements, on 7 November.
Next stop: Calamorro Skyrace®
A classic of the Skyrunning World Cup, held in Benalmádena, Málaga, Spain, right next to the Mediterranean, with stunning views of the Strait of Gibraltar when the sky is clear, and featuring pure Mediterranean terrain — technical, demanding, and tricky underfoot — where, if both legs and mind are at 100%, it is possible to run very fast, except for the first climb to the Calamorro summit, an impressive scramble.
The Grup Alpino Benalmádena Alpine is hosting the fourth event of the season in the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series, marking the 17th edition of the race and the fourth consecutive year as part of the MSWS. Seeking greater integration with the town, the course has been extended by a couple of kilometres compared to previous years, as both the start and finish will now be located within Benalmádena Pueblo.
What remains unchanged are the separate starts for men and women, as well as the evening schedule: the women start at 5:00 p.m. and the men at 5:30 p.m.
The U23 athletes will also have their moment, starting at 5:45 p.m., fifteen minutes later, giving young runners the chance to begin scoring points for the Esteban Olivero Trophy.
@SWS
According to Roge Macías, the race director, this may be the strongest edition to date. Among the favourites, the main contenders from Acantilados will return, along with the long list of athletes kicking off their season in Benalmádena.
*Last-minute update 9/4/26
Despite having confirmed his presence, a last‑minute injury will prevent the current MSWS 2026 world champion and defending race winner, Luca Del Pero (ITA/Scarpa), from competing. On the other hand, Manu Merillas has been added to the start list at the last moment.
In the women’s field, alongside Sara Alonso, the current course record holder, notable contenders include Malen Osa (ESP/Salomon) and Madalina Florea (ROM/Scott), who, although not regulars on the Sky circuit, did not want to miss a classic like the Calamorro Skyrace®.
Everything is set for a great show, and we will also be able to enjoy the live streaming that the organisation has prepared with great effort.
Among the favourites, the protagonists of Acantilados will be present again, along with the long list of athletes who will begin their season in Benalmádena:
|
|
Given the outcome of the race in La Palma, where the pace was extremely high and no one held anything back, the European season is shaping up to be high‑voltage.
Our feeling this season—just as in recent years—is that the European races will be the most hotly contested on the calendar, with a mix of new talents and seasoned athletes, in a moment of renewal for Skyrunning. This will undoubtedly make the fight for the overall ranking much more open and competitive, but above all, it will ensure that every race is a great spectacle for the fans.
We’ll get the answer in the next chapter on April 11th, on the technical course and elevation profile prepared by the Calamorro Skyrace® organization.
