Skyrunning

Yes indeed—if you’re a regular user of the Finishers.com website, and above all a seasoned runner, you know there are tons of different types of races. One of them is races at over 2,000 meters of elevation, with gradients generally exceeding a 30% incline: the Skyrunning format 🌄. And while it may look like mountaineering, it has nothing to do with that high-mountain discipline. Here, your leg strength matters more than your shoulders and arms, and a harness isn’t part of the mandatory gear 🧗.

Events like these can be counted on one hand (or maybe two), but they’re spread across the four corners of the world 🌎. Portugal, France, Italy, Norway, Canada or Spain 🇪🇸—you can even choose whether you’re more on the snow trail, forest trail or waterside trail team. As for distances: same story—you’re spoiled for choice. Ultra version, short trail, discovery trail or long trail—you won’t be able to say there wasn’t a suitable distance for you to set off 😌.

“But concretely, where can I sign up, and how do I do it?” Don’t rush—we’re getting there. Finishers is the largest European platform for race management and ticketing, so you can imagine we’re on it 💥. Here are our suggestions: ⬇️

Looking for a Skyrunning race near you? Perfect—French runners are big fans of the concept 🇫🇷. Head to the southeast of France, Isère, Drôme and the Chartreuse massif. You’ll find event-packed months in May and June 📣. Our first recommendation is the Lozère Trail, with its many distances and its Skyrunner World Series label. You can’t get more on-theme than that. From 10 km to ultra-trail, there’s something for everyone. If you want to commit to a more authentic, human-sized race, you can turn to the Glandass’Trail and its 4 distances starting from Châtillon-en-Diois 🏰. More into a legendary trail and hunting for a famous route? The highly renowned Challenge Vallée de la Drôme is holding a new edition at the beginning of May for the greatest joy of all trail-running food lovers 🍔. Many food trucks will be there, as usual, delighting the taste buds of athletes from all horizons 🤤.

More on the international running team? We told you we had plenty in store—so just listen 😎. Catch some sun in the Spanish Basque Country at the Gorbeia Suzien. 21 or 32 km: two choices, two goals—and backing out isn’t an option 😂. Further west, cross the border into Portugal and discover the Skyrunning Serra dos Passos. Held in April, before the continental heat sets in, you’ll be able to push yourself in the mountains and rocky terrain of Bragança 🪨. What’s more, there’s no need to be overtrained—only two distances of 10 and 22 km are on the program. Enough to show you every color, without necessarily pushing you to a DNF 🤪. Finally, if you’re more drawn to cool temperatures, you also have the Northern Lights Ultra opening its doors to you in mid-March. Goodbye ice creams, hello ice cubes 🧊. Here, temperatures drop to -40°C, so don’t forget your beanie!

So, ready to take on the highest peaks of running? 🏔️