SKYRACE DES MATHEYSINS (5MAY): SKYRUNNING 2024. PREVIEW

Posted by Corriendo la Vida on May 1, 2024 in skyrace des matheysins, skyrace des matheysins 2024, skyrunning, skyrunning 2024, skyrunning calendar 2024, trail running, trail running spain | Leave a comment

SKYRACE DES MATHEYSINS (5MAY): SKYRUNNING 2024. PREVIEW.  Our SKYRUNNING section bring us today the new race of the Merrell Skyrunner World Series, SkyRace des Matheysins.

Skyrunners and outdoor enthusiasts are preparing for another edition of Skyrace des Matheysins, 25km and 1950m+ await them. Set against the stunning backdrop of the French Alps, this prestigious event promises an unparalleled test of skill, endurance and sheer determination for the third leg of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series.

Photo Margaux Lemap

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 SKYRACE DES MATHEYSINS (5MAY): SKYRUNNING 2024.

THE RACE

Set to unfold this Sunday, May 5th, the Skyrace des Matheysins will welcome athletes from more than 35 countries to St. Honoré, France. With its demanding route and breathtaking scenery, the race is 25 kilometers and boasting 2,000 meters of elevation gain, the course presents a formidable challenge, featuring technical ascents, rocky descents, and traverses along alpine ridges. With the summit of Le Tabor reaching a maximum altitude of 2,389 meters, competitors will be tested both physically and mentally in the third leg of the 2024 Merrell Skyrunner® World Series season.

After a fairly rolling start, you will pass fairly quickly at the 1st refreshment point (6.2 km / 590 mD+), then, 1 km further, after crossing the Jonche, you will attack the Sentier du Diable. Very beautiful single which winds along the mountainside and which will allow you to access the first summit of the route, the Pérollier (2183 m alt.)​

The slightly technical descent that follows takes you to the 2nd refreshment point (10.6 km / 1320 mD+), at the Col de l’Oullière. Intermediate time score.

​You then attack the fairly steep climb towards the Oreilles de Loup. Technical passages, with fixed ropes and protective nets, steep descent, chamois trail then ascent in the snow to the Col du Tabor, before returning to the ridge and completing the climb to Tabor (2389 m alt. .). Another 2.5 km of ridges to the last summit, the Piquet de Nantes (2216 m alt.), and it’s the descent…

The first 200 m of D- are quite steep, before diving into the undergrowth on a magnificent, very fast single. ​The penultimate km is flat, and the last km is slightly downhill.

SKYRACE DES MATHEYSINS. FAVOURITES

Female

The main favorite, who is now returning after an injury last year, is Iris Pessey of France (team Scott Running), will also have the 2021 champion Johanna Åström of Sweden (team Arc’teryx); the 2023 3rd place, Hillary Gerardi of the USA (team Scarpa / Black Diamond). 2023 first runner up Noemie Vachon of France (team Brooks Running). We cannot stop monitoring too Lide Urrestarazu of the Basque Country (team Basque Selection), Bailey Kowalczyk of the USA (team Nike Running), Kalie McCyrstal of Canada (team Ciele Athletics), Anastasia Rubtsova; Ikram Rharsalla of Spain (team Millet) and Ana Maria Pinneda of Colombia (team Merrell).

Iris Pessey comments: “Last year Matheysins was a great race. I have always enjoyed this race and the organization. It is a course that is quite varied as in the beginning is very runnable and then it gets technical and snowy. So I think you need to be a fully skilled and complete runner to perform here. This year I know I will not perform at the same level as in previous years as I got surgery not long ago and I am just restarting to try to get in shape again but it is the perfect race to kick off my season. I am going with no expectation to perform at my best but I am fully okay with it and just want to be back on the circuit and enjoy the ride. I am so grateful. The Merrell Skyrunner World Series has continued to support me through my surgery and always being here in the low and high moments. In a way it is very relaxing to go in a race with low expectations.”

Photo Justin Galant

Male

Among the favorites set to compete in the Skyrace des Matheysins are a stellar lineup of elite athletes, including reigning champion Frederic Tranchand of France representing team Scott Running. Also in contention is Antonio Martinez of Spain, the 2023 overall winner hailing from team Asics. Keep an eye out for Roberto Delorenzi of Switzerland, the current overall ranking leader and victor of the past two races under team Brooks Running. Other notable contenders include Manuel Merillas of Spain representing team New Balance, Nadir Maguet of Italy representing team La Sportiva, Louison Coiffet and Loic Robert of France representing teams Merrell and Kiprun respectively, and Shoma Otagiri of Japan representing team Merrell.

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.