Back in Zeanuri (Basque Country), Gorbeia Suzien has become a crucial stop in the race for the overall standings of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series ahead of the SkyMasters. With the countdown now underway, the final stretch of the 2026 season leaves no room for speculation.
Men’s category, many of the leading contenders have yet to secure their ticket to Marató dels Dements, while in the women’s race the picture is slightly clearer, though still far from settled.
With the 16th race of the circuit now completed, and only two regular-season events remaining before the final, many of the strategies of the athletes battling for the title of World’s Best Skyrunner have become much clearer.
Gorbeia Suzien is one of the true classics of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series. After all, it hosted the SkyMasters back in 2022. If there is one place in the world where mountains are a religion, racing is a passion, and spectators are part of the show, that place is Euskadi. And Zeanuri (Bizkaia), at the foot of the imposing Mount Gorbea and inside Gorbeia Natural Park, represents all of that perfectly.
Two distances, one iconic setting
- 21 km. ±1.200 m U23 Cathegory. Final qualifying race before the U23 Esteban Olivero Trophy Final.
- 32 km Skyrace. ±2.400 m Red race for the Absolute category.
@skyrunning
Gorbeia Suzien 2026 arguably featured one of the strongest fields of the entire season. As a red race, it attracted many athletes who still needed another finish to secure qualification for the final. Others preferred not to wait until the final two races of the season to complete the required four events. And, of course, many simply wanted the opportunity to race one of the most iconic skyrunning events in Spain.
Men’s Race
Current course record holder Alain Santamaría (ESP/X-Bionic Integrity) once again showed that he is in exceptional form and that Gorbeia Suzien perfectly suits his strengths.
His victory was dominant from start to finish. Santamaría led through every checkpoint and steadily increased his advantage throughout the race before setting a new course record of 2:50:24.
Behind him, a chasing group made up of defending champion Aitor Ajuria (ESP/Euskal Selekzioa), Manuel Merillas (ESP/New Balance), Loïc Robert (FRA) and Marcos Villamuera (ESP/Scarpa) remained just over a minute behind, although Santamaría always looked in control.
At the summit of Gorbea (km 13.5), Merillas took the initiative in the chase group and attempted to reduce the gap during the descent towards Aldamin (km 18.5). Despite a strong finish, Santamaría still managed to extend his advantage slightly on the final paved section into Zeanuri.
He eventually crossed the finish line with a 1 minute and 43 second advantage over Merillas. Loïc Robert produced an outstanding finish to secure third place, while Marcos Villamuera finished fourth and Aitor Ajuria rounded out the Top 5.
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Women’s Race
Sara Alonso (ESP/ASICS) made her Gorbeia Suzien debut. Just as she had done at Acantilados del Norte and Calamorro Skyrace earlier this season, she delivered yet another victory.
The donostiarran athlete dominated from the gun, setting a new course record and further strengthening her bid for the 2026 World Skyrunner title. With only one race left to meet the qualification requirements for Marató dels Dements, Alonso has firmly established herself as the leading favourite.
From the opening checkpoints it was clear who would take the win. The main battle unfolded behind her, Natalie Beadle (GBR/Arc’teryx), enjoying an excellent end to the season, and Denisa Dragomir (ROM/Merrell), who finally showed her true potential again after a difficult year affected by setbacks.
Sara crossed the line in 3:21:27, setting a new course record. Denisa finished second thirteen minutes later, while Natalie secured third place fifteen minutes behind the winner.
The Top 5 was completed by two athletes who are expected to play a major role at SkyMasters: Oihana Zubillaga (ESP/Domusa Teknik) in fourth and Alice Bausseron (FRA/New Balance) in fifth.
U23 Esteban Olivero Trophy
The final scoring race before the grand finale at Sobrescobio Redes Trail on October 25.
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The top three in the U23 rankings are as follows, so we’re in for a very exciting final:
Overall
Gorbeia Suzien secured SkyMasters qualification for several additional athletes heading to Marató dels Dements:
- Manuel Merillas (ESP/New Balance)
- Marcos Villamuera (ESP/Scarpa)
- Dimas Pereira (ESP/Asics)
- Edgar Doumas (ESP/Lurbel)
- Hodei Samaniego (ESP/Euskal Selekzioa) *Necessita una cursa blanca
- Ibai Urrutia (ESP/Euskal Selekzioa)
- Lucien Mermillon (FRA/Rossignol)
- Alice Bausseron (FRA/New Balance)
- Eva Delafosse (FRA/CS Meribel)
- Irati Azkargorta (ESP/Domusa Teknik)
- Karina Andersen (USA/Joma)
With just two races remaining in little more than three weeks, Mount Kinabalu on October 18 and Sobrescobio Redes Trail on October 25, the battle for qualification remains wide open:
Athletes still needing one or two races to secure a SkyMasters ticket include:
- Sara Alonso (ESP/Asics)
- Frederic Tranchand (FRA/Merrell)
- Loic Robert (FRA/Esclops d’Azun)
- Denisa Dragomir (ROM/Merrell)
- Mattia Bertoncini (ITA)
- Svetlana Nurmukhametova (RUS)
- Greta García (ESP/Asics)
- Alex Oberbacher (ITA/La Sportiva)
- Shoma Otagiri (JAP/Merrell)
- Jaime Romo (ESP/La Sportiva)
- Gontzal Murgoitio (ESP/Brooks)
- Luis Ovalle (CHI/Merrell)
- Bel Calero (ESP/Joma)
- Carla Esclusa (ESP/Merrell)
- Takako Takamura (JAP/Nike ACG)
- Ruut Joensu (FIN/Merrell)
Next Stop: Mt. Kinabalu International Climbathon
Merrell Skyrunner® World Series now heads to Malaysia for one of the most iconic races in skyrunning history: Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon.
The race, which returned to the calendar last year after a 14-year absence, has retained its classic out-and-back format: climb to the summit and return along the same course.
The challenge sounds simple: reach the 4,030 m summit of Mount Kinabalu and descend back to the start. In reality, athletes face 26 km and ±2,800 m of elevation gain and loss, making it one of the most demanding and spectacular races on the circuit.
Legends such as Kilian Jornet, Luis Alberto Hernando, Bruno Brunod and Marco De Gasperi helped establish the Climbathon’s legendary status. Now, it is the new generation’s turn.
Among the leading names on the provisional start list are:
- Svetlana Nurmukhametova (RUS)
- Takako Takamura (JAP/Nike ACG)
- Luis Ovalle (CHI/Merrell)
- Daniel Antoniolli (ITA/Scarpa)
- Vanja Cnops (BEL/T8)
- Alex Oberbacher (ITA/La Sportiva)
- Shoma Otagiri (JAP/Merrell)
- June Villarroel (ESP/La Sportiva)
- Bel Calero (ESP/Joma)
- Fujio Ichige (JAP/Merrell)
The fight for a place at SkyMasters continues, with very few qualifying opportunities remaining. The decisive phase of the 2026 Merrell Skyrunner World Series has officially begun.
