CALAMORRO SKYRACE: SKYRUNNING 2024. GOLD AND RECORDS DELORENZI AND SARA ALONSO

Posted by Corriendo la Vida on April 8, 2024 in calamorro skyrace, skyrunning, skyrunning 2024, skyrunning calendar 2024, trail running, trail running spain | Leave a comment

CALAMORRO SKYRACE: SKYRUNNING 2024. GOLD AND RECORDS DELORENZI AND SARA ALONSO. Our SKYRUNNING section bring us today the results of  Calamorro Skyrace, where Sara Alonso and Delorenzi smash records.

The historic race in Benalmádena (Málaga) provided an excellent stage with a race that witnessed record breaking efforts in both the male and female categories. Victories for  Roberto Delorenzi 2:25:40(Brooks Running) and Sara Alonso 2:59:08(Asics)

Leelo en español si prefieres: CALAMORRO SKYRACE 2024. RESULTADOS ORO SARA ALONSO Y ROBERTO DE LORENZI

Photo Antton Guaresti

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CALAMORRO SKYRACE: SKYRUNNING 2024.

GOLD AND RECORDS DELORENZI AND SARA ALONSO

The history of Calamorro Skyrace, orchestrated by Grupo Alpino Benalmádena in collaboration with the Benalmádena City Council, the Diputación de Málaga, and the Junta de Andalucía, has unfolded since its inaugural edition in 2008. It stands as one of the pioneering races that marked the inception of mountain racing within this community.

From its inception, the organizers have diligently explored the optimal route options within the Sierra de Benalmádena, leveraging its relatively undiscovered network of trails to showcase the scenic and environmental wealth of Benalmádena municipality.

In 2019, the current course was established, weaving together the elements of a technically challenging test that offers participants a uniquely authentic Skyrace experience. Now in its sixteenth iteration, Calamorro proudly retains its position within the prestigious Merrell Skyrunner® World Series circuit for the second consecutive year.

Participants tackled a 27.5-kilometer course with 2,270 meters of elevation gain, navigating through a brief yet intense race. Confronted by a consistent incline, the course provided minimal respite with scarce flat or road segments. Moreover, runners grappled with highly technical descents strewn with rocks, in addition to the climb up Mount Calamorro (731 meters) early in the race. Offering little chance to find a rhythm, all competitors confronted a 3.76 km ascent with 650 meters of elevation gain to reach the summit.

Expectations were high prior to the race. Great weather, a super elite line-up of runners, and a bonus of 250 Euros to anybody breaking the course record, offered much excitement that records would fall. Spectators were not disappointed. Antonio Martinez’s (2:39:01) impressive record in the extreme heat of 2023, and Sara Alonso’s (3:00:08) excellent 2022 ultimately fell. In the men’s category Roberto Delorenzi smashed the record in 2 hours 25 minutes and 40 seconds, 14 minutes less than the previous record. Not to be outdone, Sara Alonso managed to break her own record, finishing in a very impressive 2 hours 59 minutes and 08 seconds.

MALE RACE

Delorenzi led the race from the start, imposing a strong pace and never letting up. The Swiss had a clear objective of beating the record of the race, and he has achieved it in spectacular style. Behind the Brooks athlete, Antonio Martínez (Asics) crossed the finish line in 2 hours 34 minutes and 47 seconds, with the Italian Luca del Pero (Scarpa)  finishing in third place, in 2 hours 36 minutes and 55 seconds. All three destroyed the previous record highlighting the excellent quality of this years’s event.

Swiss winner Roberto Delorenzi explained after his victory that “from the beginning I could go at my pace, open a gap, and the weather was perfect… I did not expect to go so fast, but I’m happy!”. The Skyrunner World Series leader added that “I will do two more races, the Skyrace des Matheysins and Gorges du Tarn, where I hope to do like today and Acantilados, and then run in the final“.

Photo Antton Guaresti

FEMALE RACE

In the women’s category Júlia Font (Brooks Running) and Sara Alonso (Asics) provided a sporting spectacle, offering one of the most disputed women’s races in recent times. Although there was a tug of war between the two runners for much of the second half of the race, Alonso attacked in the last part of the course, passing through the Buddhist Stupa Tunnel, gapping Font and repeating her excellent success in 2022.

Winner in the women’s category, Sara Alonso, said that “I would not have achieved this record if Júlia Font had not been there, and at some point, when she left, I have seen it impossible, but it has been the most competitive race for the first place I have ever done”. The Basque runner added that “everything hurts right now, but I’m proud and very happy with the race“.

Photo Antton Guaresti

SKYRUNNING 2024 CALENDAR

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1. 2nd May – Acantilados del Norte – La Palma, Spain – 29km, 2,250m+
2. 6th April – Calamorro Skyrace – Benálmadena, Spain – 27km, 2,270m+
3. 4th May – Skyrace des Matheysins – St Honoré, France – 25km, 2,000m+
4. 18th May – Skyraces Des Gorges Du Tarn – Ste Enimie, France – 24km, 1,800m+
5. 25th May – Orizaba Skyrace – Orizaba, Mexico – 45km, 3,200m+
6. 1st June – Hochkönigman Skyrace – Maria Alm, Austria – 31km, 2,600m+
7. 15th June – Madeira Skyrace – Santana, Portugal – 45km, 3,600m+
8. 22nd June – Minotaur Skyrace – Crowsnest Pass, Canada – 33km, 2,900m+
9. 23rd June – Skyrace du Mercantour – Saint Martin Vesubie, France – 30km, 2,150m+
10. 29th June – Kaiserkrone Skyrace – Scheffau, Austria – 25km, 2,770m+
11. 6th June – Cordillera Blanca Skyrace – Huaraz, Peru – 27km, 1,550m+
12. 23rd August – Matterhorn Ultraks « EXTREME » – Zermatt, Switzerland – 25km, 2,900m+
13. 25th August – Trofeo KIMA – Valmasino, Italy – 52km, 4,200m+
14. 22nd September – Maga SkyMarathon – Zorzone, Italy – 39km, 3,000m+
15. 28th September – Gorbeia Suzien – Zeanuri, Spain – 32km, 2,400m+
16. 12th October – Limone Extreme Skyrace – Limone, Italy – 22km, 2,200m+
17. 26th October – 2 Peaks Skyrace – Ulju County, South Korea – 26km, 2,080m+
18. 2nd November – Kailas Penang Skyrace – Penang, Malaysia – 42km, 3,800m+
19. 9th November – Sagalassos Skyrace – Burdur, Turkey – 27km, 2,200m+

SKYMASTERS

20. 16th November – Marato dels Dements – Eslida-Aín, Spain – 42km, 3,800m+

As in previous years, the SkyMasters is reserved for athletes who have qualified throughout the season only. Qualification criteria will be published at the time of the event announcement, early next year.