Michael Jones assumes directorship of Skyrunning UK
Michael Jones assumes Directorship of Skyrunning UK.
New year: new goals! If you’re anything like us at Skyrunning UK, you’ll no doubt have a few lined up for next year by now. Well, today we are delighted to be getting 2024 off with a bang with the news that Michael Jones will be taking over as the Managing Director of Skyrunning UK, effective immediately! Read on to learn more about what this means for the future of Skyrunning in the UK.
Best known within the UK trail running space as the founder, and until recently, Race Director of Ultra-Trail Snowdonia, he now boasts a career in trail events spanning over six years. Previous to this, he was a committed Skyrunner himself, finishing second overall in the Skyrunner UK & Ireland series in 2016 and brings a wealth of business development experience and expertise to the table. This, coupled with a huge dose of enthusiasm, guarantees a bright future for Skyrunning UK!
Jones, also the Race Director for the Rab Snowdon SkyRace explains:
“I’m absolutely delighted to be seizing the opportunity of taking a leading role in the development of Skyrunning UK; both in realising its community aims with enhanced international and personal development opportunity for youth skyrunners, as well as expanding its presence in the UK and Ireland, simultaneously strengthening our synergies with the International Skyrunning Federation and the Skyrunner World Series”.
Jones in action during the 2016 Mourne Skyline MRT © Ian Corless
“Since first discovering Skyrunning over a decade ago, I’ve been captivated by the discipline and have been fortunate enough to have competed in a range of domestic and international SkyRaces over the years. During this time, I encountered some amazing people, several of whom I’m excited to be bringing into the fold to further strengthen the vision I have for Skyrunning UK. I’m highly motivated by the prospect of exploring what further potential can be unleashed with the business in the coming years!”
Previous Skyrunning UK Managing Director Charles Sproson — Race Director for Lake District SkyTrails events and owner of MountainRun provides ample endorsement for his successor:
“I am very happy to be handing the reins of Skyrunning UK and Ireland to Michael Jones, an excellent race creator and director in his own right. Mike is best placed to push skyrunning in the UK to new heights — watch this space!”
Mike en route to 3rd place at the inaugural Ben Nevis Ultra, part of the Skyrunner World Series in 2017 © Steve Ashworth
To learn more about Mike, head over to his company website HERE and get ready for more awesome updates to follow, including the announcement of the full 2024 Skyrunner National Series race calendar.
A NATIONAL SERIES FOR ALL
While the finer details are confirmed for 2024, today we’re thrilled to announce that there will be some big changes for the 2024 Skyrunner UK & Ireland series. Think unprecedented series prize money, age category series recognition for under-23 and veteran runners, as well as a potential brand new SkyUltra sub-series.
An aspirational series, attracting some of the sport’s biggest names like Tom Evans, pictured here en route to dominating the 2022 Scafell SkyRace. Who will claim series victory in 2024?
COMMITTED TO DEVELOPING THE NEXT WAVE OF TALENT
Skyrunning UK was established as a Community Interest Company, so alongside developing the Skyrunner National Series, we possess a strong focus towards increasing skyrunning opportunities for athletes aged under 23 for the foreseeable future.
Skyrunning UK provided opportunity to participate in the 2023 Youth Skyrunning World Championships. Read more HERE.
All will be revealed on this front soon, however, in the meantime we can say that in 2024:
For any runner aged under 23 on 31/12/2024, entry fees to any Skyrunner UK & Ireland series race will be subsidised by Skyrunning UK.
Once again, we will send two youth teams (UK & Ireland) to the Youth Skyrunning World Champs, pending host confirmation.
We will be hosting the inaugural SkyRun Academy UK for a select few promising young athletes, who will be invited to join us on a fully funded, immersive and educational weekend, learning about topics ranging training and racing for the junior athlete, to developing marketability to secure brand sponsorship. Applications for consideration will open in February.
For the first time, the Skyrunner UK & Ireland series will feature its own U23 age category, providing opportunity for younger runners to gain national recognition with their own series ranking, with series prizes up for grabs at the end of the season.
A bright new year for Skyrunning UK awaits in 2024!
2024 looks set to be quite something for Skyrunning UK and the people who make this awesome sport what it is! To be first to hear about the radically overhauled 2024 Skyrunner UK & Ireland series, be sure to follow Skyrunning UK on social media, where all will be revealed early next month.
Or, if you’ll be at the rapidly approaching National Running Show, don’t forget to swing by the Skyrunning UK stand to discover the races that will comprise next year’s Series.
Seven Sisters Skyline - Race Report 2023
The 2023 edition of the Seven Sisters Skyline saw 130 participants take to the start line on Ireland’s most demanding mountain running route.
The out and back course takes in all seven peaks of the Derryveagh Mountains with all but the highest peak, Mount Errigal, being covered twice, covering over 4,000m ascent in the 55k route. The 2023 edition will be remembered for perfect early conditions, picture clear mountains, and howling winds that blew up in the afternoon forcing the organisers to call off Errigal ascent in the late afternoon for competitors.
With sections called ‘Bridge of Tears’ and ‘Heart Attack Hill’ this was not an easy day out. Competitors had to contend with everything from very soft, wet underfoot conditions as there has been lots of rain in recent months; heathery bog and open mountain rock and scree, often having to scramble on hands and knees over the loose stone, particularly on Muckish ridge and Errigal's North Face.
Errigal's North Face - Serious scree! ©Seven Sisters Skyline collection
A 6.30am September start meant head torches were compulsory and made for a wonderful sight as participants made their way around Dunlewey lake on their way to the mountains. In the men's field a new champion was crowned with previous podium winner Aidan Mc Moreland claiming victory in 7:56:56. In second place was Paul Brennan from Co. Antrim, and third was Enda Cloake from Wexford. Enda was leading the race on the return leg but after missing the Aghla More summit, received a time penalty relegating him to third. A great battle upfront on the outward leg, and decisive moves made on the return leg made for exciting racing and battles along the way.
Kasie Enman, the American mountain running legend ©Seven Sisters Skyline Collection
The ladies event was dominated by Kasie Enman, the American mountain running legend. After a 24 hr delay getting to Ireland on Thursday from Vermont, USA she made light work of the Donegal hills and renowned tough course, blasting round for an emphatic win in 8hrs 28:12. and 5th overall.
The former world champion quoted ' I was smiling throughout this beautiful and epically challenging course. It's a fun and tough running community that I was glad to be part of, albeit briefly'
Ellen Vetting the 2022 champion from Kenmare Co. Kerry, and multiple podium winner was a strong second, despite competing in UTMB 3 weeks earlier. Kristen O' Sullivan from Co. Cork gained her first podium for a great third place just 12 minutes behind Ellen on her first attempt at Ireland's toughest Mountain running event.
Female winning trio; Kasie Enman [1], Ellen Vetting [2] and Kristen O' Sullivan [3] ©SSS Collection
Male winning trio; Aidan Mc Moreland [1], Paul Brennan [2], Enda Cloake [3] ©SSS Collection
That wraps up the 2023 edition, with 2024 entries opening October 1st with a scheduled date for September 21st, 2024.
Wild and technical ridgeline on the Seven Sisters Skyline ©SSS Collection
Skyrunning UK Rankings 2023
The Skyrunning UK and Ireland SNS series has been back on for 2023.
And the winner of the Skyrunner UK and Ireland Champions of 2023 is…!
Female Winner: Alicia Schwazenbach ©Route North Photography
Male Winner: George Fisher ©No Limits Photography
The Skyrunning UK and Ireland SNS series has been back on for 2023.
The organisation was taken over in 2023 by Charles Sproson, being backed up by Marie Cheng. Together, through a very busy year on Lake District Sky Trails races, the pair has re-invigorated the series that lay fallow for a few years since the world stopped in 2020.
RAB Scafell Sky Race
The season kicked off with the Rab Scafell Sky Race on the 3rd June 2023. The skies were blue, the temperatures were hot and the skyrunning was perfect and all skyrunners submitted the highest mountain in England.
RAB Scafell Sky Race Top 3 Male and Female skyrunners crossed the line in the finishing positions below:
Karolina Woloszczyk starting the epic descent of Great Slab - Rab Scafell Sky Race ©Route North Photography
1st M
Luke Grefell-Shaw
GBR
04:45:13
2nd M
George Fisher
GBR
04:59:14
3rd M
Kim Collison
GBR
05:09:24
1st F
Alicia Schwarzenbach
GBR
06:05:11
2nd F
Holly Clifford
GBR
06:34:07
3rd F
Karolina Woloszczyk
POL
06:42:20
RAB Snowdon SkyRace
Next in the series we moved down to North Wales to see the uber technical Snowdon Skyrace take place in North Snowdonia. The race taking in delights such as Tryfan North Ridge, the knife edge ridge know as Crib Goch and then the mountain summit of Wales, namely Yr Wyddfa or better known to English speakers as Snowdon. Weather unfortunately put a stop to the traverse of Crib Goch and Tryfan, but the racing was still awesome and the course uber technical.
Runner on the epic Rab Snowdon Sky Race ©Gulliem Casanova
RAB Snowdon Sky Race Top 3 Male and Female skyrunners crossed the line in the finishing positions below:
1st M
George Fisher
GBR
04:55:38
2nd M
Craig Lowe
GBR
05:22:18
3rd M
Ben James
GBR
05:49:08
1st F
Alicia Schwarzenbach
GBR
05:52:29
2nd F
Georgia Tindley
Scotland
3rd F
Alice Walton
GBR
06:43:52
Alicia Schwarzenbach was already showing great form and taking the win at both events had already put her in a great place for the series winner.
George Fisher taking 2nd place at the Rab Scafell Sky Race and 1st at the Rab Snowdon Sky Race also had a great start to the season and was securing his place to win the series.
RAB Helvellyn Sky Ultra
The next race in the series was back in the Lake District for the ultra distance roller coaster called the Rab Helvellyn Sky Ultra on the 15th July. Heavy weather with projected Thunder and Lightning storms caused the course to be shortened, but the team still delivered an awesome race.
Serious faces at the start of the Rab Helvellyn Sky Ultra 2023 ©Route North Photography
RAB Helvellyn Sky Ultra Top 3 Male and Female skyrunners crossed the line in the finishing positions below:
1st M
Hugh Chatfield
GBR
03:53:46
2nd M
George Fisher
GBR
03:58:50
3rd M
James Wilkins
GBR
04:15:59
1st F
Robyn Cassidy
GBR
04:48:27
2nd F
Alicia Schwarzenbach
GBR
04:50:38
3rd F
Amelia Balfour
GBR
05:08:55
Both George and Alicia took the 2nd places in very tough conditions securing their positions at the top of the Skyrunning UK rankings and really cementing their leads. However with 2 races left in the season, it was not over yet.
David Haunschmidt enjoying his win at the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra 2023 ©No Limits Photography
Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra
The next race in the series took us to the summit of THE BEN, the highest location and mountain in the UK, famous for its mountaineering, winter climbing and of course skiing descents.
Skyline Scotland is the biggest Skyrunning weekend in the UK and has been since its conception back in 2015 with the awesomely designed Salomon Glen Coe Skyline. The Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra was not created until 2017. The route takes in the CMD arete and of course the summit of Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the UK.
Having 3 races in the Skyrunning UK SNS series meant skyrunners taking part could complete the National 3 Peaks whilst racing and we felt that was pretty cool.
The usual suspects stood on the startline and bad weather was projected to change the route to the Bad Weather course once the Ben had been summited.
Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra Top 3 Male and Female skyrunners crossed the line in the finishing positions below:
1st M
David Haunschmidt
NZ
05:57:35
2nd M
George Fisher
GBR
06:00:43
3rd M
Jonathan Pybus
GBR
06:15:53
1st F
Alicia Schwarzenbach
GBR
07:32:20
2nd F
Myvanwy Hanna
GBR
08:00:21
3rd F
Sophie McKeeman
GBR
08:01:17
Top 3 male and female winners from the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra and Glen Coe Skyline - Final editions from Kinlochleven ©No Limits Photography
Alicia comfortably crossed the finish line, looking tired but extremely happy, to take the win on the hard, but this year fast, Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra.
George fought hard against David and Jonathan to come in 2nd in the race overall and both Alicia and George put themselves in the winning positions for the Skyrunner National Series 2023 in the UK and Ireland.
Still with one race to go, the season looked complete, from George’s and Alicia’s point of view, but a jewel in the crown of a race on the West Coast of Ireland, being the ethereal Seven Sisters Skyline on the coast of Donegal, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was about to play out over last weekend.
The line up showed that both Alicia and George’s winning titles were safe, but there was still the Seven Sisters Race trophy to win and a race to be run!
Seven Sisters Skyline Top 3 Male and Female skyrunners crossed the line in the finishing positions below:
Ladies winners on the Seven Sisters Skyline ©Seven Sisters Skyline
1st M
Aidan Mc Moreland
IRE
07:56:56
2nd M
Paul Brennan
GBR
08:03:09
3rd M
Enda Cloake
IRE
08:16:36
1st F
Kasie Enman
USA
08:28:12
2nd F
Ellen Vitting
IRE
09:19:12
3rd F
Kristen O’Sullivan
IRE
09:28:27
Skyrunners on the switchback ascent to Muckish ©Seven Sisters Skyline
And there we have it, this brings a close to the 2023 Skyrunning UK and Ireland season and leaves me only to announce the winners of the series and post the ranking positions for 2023.
Both the top 3 ranked skyrunners for both women and men will be offered a place in the SkyMasters end of season battle on the Italian Alps in Limone.
Alicia Schwarzenbach and George Fisher both ran a very consistent season, taking podium positions in all the skyraces on offer, apart from the Seven Sisters Skyline in Ireland. Both were ‘spent’ from a short and sharp season and with only one week from the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra, this just didn’t seem feasible for either of them.
Huge Congratulations to them both and to everyone who raced with us this season. We look forward to seeing you in 2024 for the new season.
Full series rankings will be posted next week and shared on Social Media.
Notes:
The top 3 men and women from both the Skyrunning UK and Ireland National Skyrunner® Series and/or top 3 male and female in any of the nominated SNS races are eligible for a place in the SkyMasters Finale at Lake Garda, Limone, Italy.
The organisers will be in touch with those runners who they feel make the qualification grade. The Limone Extreme is a ‘invite’ only race where the best Skyrunners in the World will race head to head to find THE CHAMPION for 2023.
SKYMASTERS QUALIFICATION
The SkyMasters is the most consequential race in the Skyrunner® World Series. It is the final race of the season and is only open to runners who have gained qualification during the season*. The Skymasters awards 2.5 times the number of points compared to a SkyRace and 1.25 times a Premier SkyRace.
To qualify for the SkyMasters, athletes must compete in and complete at least three SkyRaces, finishing in the top 10 in at least one. The criteria for an invite is outlined below:
Be in the top 10 (man or woman) of a SkyRace or Premier SkyRace
Complete at least 3 Skyrunner® World Series races from the current season (i.e. 2023) OR
Be in the top-3 (man or woman) of a nominated race in a Skyrunner® National Series country
Be in the top-3 (man or woman) of the final ranking of a Skyrunner® National Series
Finish top-3 (man or woman) in a Skyrunning Continental Championship
Finish top-3 (man or woman) in a Skyrunning World Championship .
Read more here: https://www.skyrunnerworldseries.com/skymasters/
Seven Sisters Skyline 2023
And all of a sudden we are almost at the end of the Skyrunner® UK and Ireland Series for 2023.
The year started in June in the Lake District with the Rab Scafell Sky Race and we finish off on the wild West Coast of Ireland in Donegal with the epic Excel Seven Sisters Skyline
The Seven Sisters Skyline is a complete beast! ©Seven Sisters Skyline
Skyrunner’s from 7 countries around the world, being USA, Czech Republic, the UK, Sweden, France, Belgium and Poland are flocking to the west coast of Ireland to race with the massive Irish contingency that make up the rest of the male field for Irelands major mountain and skyrunning event, being the awesome Seven Sisters Skyline.
Over 150 runners will toe the start line in the early morning light to race over the Seven Sisters with highlights of natural rock-arches, single track trail on the side of rocky mountainsides where a fall would be catastrophic, typical Irish muddy trails, ascents to battle and descents to ‘live’ for.
Ellen Vitting of Ireland is fresh back from the UTMB to defend her title from 2022 with visiting Kasie Enman over from Vermont, USA [former mountain running champion] to give her a run for her money and chase the title. Rachel Burness placed 4th in 2022 and so will be in the mix for the coveted podium positions alongside Bronagh Ogara.
In the mens race some to watch out for are; Marek Wojnarowski, Liam Costello, Paul Brennan to name a few.
With the weather looking fairly settled for tomorrow race, but the ground being wet from the Atlantic onslaught of earlier in the week, it could be anyone crowned champion in female and male races over the Seven Sisters in the Derryveagh mountains from Errigal to Muckish
Watch the race in that dot watching fashion here:
https://live.primaltracking.com/sevensisters23/
Skyline Scotland 2023
The season has been hotting up as we have progressed through the races with Alicia Schwazenbach and George Fisher having excellent form throughout the Skyrunner UK and Ireland National Series.
With both skyrunners in the penultimate race, it's looking like we already have winners for the 2023 season.
The Salomon Skyline Scotland delivers 3 sky races of a world class nature, the races being the Ring of Steall, Glen Coe Skyline and Ben Nevis Ultra. All the races are sponsored by Salomon, with the RoS being part of the Salomon Golden Trails series and BNU being part of the Skyrunner UK and Ireland series.
Salomon Ring of Steall 2023
Sara Willhoit on her way to winning the Salomon Ring of Steall 2023 ©No Limits Photography
The weather was set great for Saturday’s racing and whilst the Salomon Ring of Steal is not in the series and part of the Salomon Golden Trails Series, it's still a world class sky race and deserves mentioning in our article.
Just under 500 skyrunners set off under glorious skies, with a warm feel in the valleys but cool breeze on the tops.
The ladies race set off with 120 skyrunners, several vying for the top podium positions, Sara Willhoit looking to be a favourite after her excellent win at the Rab Pinnacle Ridge Extreme back in July in the Lake District. Jostling for position on the podium with Sara was Aoife McCavana [running for Ireland], Oli Elliott [running for Scotland] and Brits; Esther Everitt, Emma Parry-Jones, Chelsea Creak, all looking strong and on form.
Sara Willhoit took the lead for the women from the start and kept pushing all the way, never being able to take her foot off the gas, in her own words, keeping the pressure on down the final 8km descent into the finish arena in Kinlochleven. Whilst being off the pace from the record held by Judith Wyder [Female record: 3:36:46], Sara crossed the line in a uber fast time of 04:19:09. Second and Third places were taken by Chelsea Creak and Emma Parry-Jones, who were only minutes apart in times of 04:56:26 and 04:59:29 completing the female podium trio.
Gavin Dale racing to win the Salomon Ring of Steall 2023 ©No Limits Photography
In the men's race it was as equally exciting with 353 skyrunners setting off on the start line with Brits; Matthew Allen, Lewis McComb, Gavin Dale and Matthew Elkington all looking for podium spots, from the rest of the world and Scotland stood Jim Rothweiler [Netherlands], Timothy De Vos [Germany], James Miller [South Africa] and Rob Sinclair [Scotland] plus the English fraternity of Jordan Eastwood, Nigel Hocking and Harry Holmes.
The racing was fast, but no records challenged and coming across the line in great form for the converted 1st podium spot was Gavin Dale in a time of 03:46:12, close on his tail was Matthew Elkington in a time of 03:50:03 and Harry Holmes completing the trio and only seconds behind Matthew, in a time of 03:50:21.
2nd place Chelsea Creek enjoying perfect conditions on the Salomon RoS 2023 ©No Limits Photography
Sundays forecast was not looking so kind and final decision by the race organisation and safety management teams were being made as to the safety of the races with sub-zero wind chill temps on the tops, driving rain later in the day and 50+mph cross-winds forecast for the Aonach Eagach Ridge on the second part of the Glencoe Skyline race route.
Mentions of the winds stopping the GCS were made open on the start line by race director, Shane Ohly, and anyone racing was advised to get to CP9 as fast as possible if they were to make it over the AE Ridge to complete the full course.
Just over 100 committed skyrunners stood awaiting the race start at 07:30, me [author - Charles Sproson] being one of them for this year. Since 2015, I have been involved in the organisation, marking and safety until 2021 and so it was a proud moment to be standing on the start line of the most extreme and one of the most iconic skyraces in the world. I was not set to be challenging the podium positions.
Glen Coe Skyline 2023 - Final Edition - Shortened Course [Start to CP9]
The final ever edition of the epic and uber iconic/extreme Salomon Glen Coe Skyline ©No Limits Photography
In the women's race, favourites were Katia Tastagh [UK], Kasia Osipowicz [Poland] and Naomi Lang [Scotland]. The field was small with 18 ladies taking part, but this is a high number for this type of race, especially considering the actual field o the day of just over 100 skyrunners.
Naomi was strong from the start, dominating the race from the front and running in the top 10 for the first part of the race. Curved Ridge is not to be raced over, so from the top of this section [the first scramble] everything truly starts. By checkpoint 6, we were advised that the race would be stopped at CP9 due to worsening conditions and despite this, Naomi kept the pressure on and crossed the finish line in an awesome time of 05:16:06. I was personally racing against Kasia for overall race positions and passed her on the descent to CP9, with Kasia crossing the line in 2nd place on the women's race in a time of 06:38:51 and Katia taking the 3rd podium position in a time of 06:40:28 to complete the women's trio.
The Author [Charles Sproson] ascending to Curved Ridge behind Neil MacDonald ©SkyrunningUK
In the men's race, Ellis Bland, Oli Jepsen, Ed Brewer, Alastair Graves and Phillip Rutter [all Brits] were in the mix with Robin Downie [Scotland], Douglas Bartholemew and Scot Maguire [Canada] all looking for those converted podium finishes.
Ellis Bland led the race to CP1 with Scott Maguire and Phillip Rutter sitting in closely behind. The ups and downs and terrain of the GCS make it seriously tough, yet the top 6 moved with ease over the terrain, with Phillip Rutter taking the win at CP9 in 04:38:07, Scott Maguire taking the 2nd place in 04:51:08 and Alastair Graves coming in 3rd in a time of 04:59:04, taking the 3rd podium slot.
Whilst the Glencoe Skyline was underway, skyrunners were being kit checked and let into the start pen for the penultimate race in the UK and Ireland Skyrunner National Series for 2023.
Both the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra and Glen Coe Skyline winners 1/2/3 on the stage together for the prize giving ceremony ©No Limits Photography
Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra 2023 - Bad Weather Route - Skyrunning UK & Ireland National Series: Race 4
The Ben Nevis Ultra takes in the highest point in the British Isles, crossing the summit of Ben Nevis just before the halfway point of the race. It completes the National 3 Peaks for those who have been taking part in the Skyrunner® National Series in the UK and Ireland.
With the projected bad weather that was forecast, the organising team opted, wisely, for the Bad Weather route for 2023. This meant the skyrunner’s would still make the summit of the Ben, but then once at valley level, they would take the Highland Way back into Kinlochleven.
Alicia Schwarzenbach and Karolina Woloszczyk discussing tactics in the start pen ©No Limits Photography
On the start line in the ladies race stood Karolina Woloszczyk [Poland], 2nd place in the recent Rab Pinnacle Ridge Extreme in the Lakes, Sophie McKeeman [GB], Myvanwy Hanna [GB] and Alicia Schwarzenbach [England] who has been on terrific form this season. The 2nd half of the race was quite unlike the usual route, taking lower trails and really turning it into a race of 2 halves, technical skyrunning to start with a fast, but long low level trail race to finish.
Myvanwy led the race to CP1, with Alicia then taking over the lead for the rest of the race to arrive at the finish being the clear winner in 07:32:20, with a 30 minute lead of the rest of the field and finishing in 10th place overall. This will certainly cement Alicia into the winning position for the Skyrunner® National Series for 2023 in the UK and Ireland. Myvanwy continued her race in 2nd place, crossing the line in 2nd position still, in a time of 08:00:21 and completing the female podium spots was Sophie McKeeman in a time of 08:01:17, hot on Myvanwy’s heels.
A tired but happy Alicia Schwazenbach crosses the finish line to take the win on the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra 2023 ©No Limits Photography
Myvanwy Hanna took the 2nd place in the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra ©No Limits Photography
The men's race was looking to be fast with Tom Owens, who recently competed in the Skyrunner World Champs Masters race in Italy this year for the UK squad, local Scottish runner Tom Carthey, 2 brothers from opposite sides of the world; David Haunschmidt [NZ] and Patrick Haunschmidt [Canada] and GB runners Jonathan Pybus and George Fisher who is looking to be favourite to win the Skyrunner UK and Ireland National Series.
The start was fast with Tom Owens, Jonathan Pybus, George Fisher and David Haunschmidt all shoulder to shoulder in the race to CP1, from there the race opened out with George putting in a break for the lead, closely followed by David Haunschmidt. George led the race until CP4, by which point David had closed the gap and taken the 1st place, holding it all the way to the finish crossing the line in a cracking time of 05:57:35. George held onto his second place, crossing the finish line in 06:00:43 and Jonathan Pybus completing the podium trio in a time of 06:15:53.
David Haunschmidt, just visiting from NZ, relishing in his win on the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra ©No Limits Photography
George Fisher after a tremendous season racing the Skyrunner® National Series UK and Ireland 2023 ©No Limits Photography
That wraps up the Skyline Scotland weekend, leaving us to say that it will be moving for 2025 to a new location in the Scottish Highlands. 2024 is a break year for the team to plan and deliver yet another awesome Skyline Scotland from a new and exciting location.
All eyes now look to the Seven Sisters Skyline in Ireland this weekend for the last race in the Skyrunner UK and Ireland series for 2023.
View all the Salomon Skyline Scotland Sky Race results below:
Salomon Ring of Steall 2023 results
Youth Skyrunning World Champs 2023 - Overall and Sky Race
Ben Sharrock, racing in the U23 category for Skyrunning UK, on his way to 18th male and 14th in his Age Cat ©ISF
Youth Skyrunning World Champs – Skyrace Sunday 6th August 2023
August 6 – SKY – 23 km long with 2,226m vertical climb
August 6 – SKY YOUTH A & B – 13 km long with 1,300m vertical climb
Age categories
The official 2023 Youth Skyrunning World Championships categories are four:
Youth A (15-16 years): born from January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2008
Youth B (17-18 years): born from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2006
Youth C (19-20 years): born from January 1, 2003 to December 31, 2004
U23 (21-22-23 years): born from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2002
The UK has a great history with Skyrunning and the UK fell racing scene is the perfect place for the youth runners to cut their teeth. Heading out to the EU champs allows them to rank themselves against other countries best runners.
With 18 runners on the team, the UK had a strong offering for 2023 and wow did they run hard and pulled in an awesome result of 5th Team overall, out of 30 countries.
UK Squad looking dapper in their Ron Hill team kit, designed by Harry Bolton [in the middle front] with Niki Rylance on the far left, our UK Youth Team manager. ©ISF
Ireland finished in 26th out of 30 countries, with only 3 runners competing they did an amazing job with the team going home with loads of energy to gain more support for the 2024 edition of the Youth Skyrunning World Champs.
The Irish Trio with Yann Valdez on the far right, Ireland’s team manager who is Swiss/Irish and could not compete this year due to injury. ©ISF
Even with the heavy downpours, thunderstorms and lightning on Friday night into Saturday morning, the trails remained unchanged, however the UK and Ireland squad would perform well downhill, as is the nature of the terrain the team trains on in the UK and Ireland.
Rowan Ashworth on his way to 9th in ‘Youth A’ and 19th overall in the Sky Youth A & B Race - 13.9km with 1300m vert ©ISF
Rowan Ashworth said of his experience in the Italian Apennine Mountains : “This was a really great event, having raced last year I knew this would be a really fun experience. This year the sky race was a solid favourite for me with a long climb and nice descent paired with great views and a 9th place finish.”
Friday’s thunderstorm had brought the temps down so better for the UK and Irish runners, however there was still quite a high level of humidity in the air.
The courses set were hard, with the VK being the start for both distances, Youth A & B doing a 13k route with 1300m of vertical and Youth C and U23 Age Cats taking on a classic skyrace distance with 21.6km and 2226m of vertical, both distances finished again with a full decent of the 1002m VK to the finish in Fonte Cerreto, in the valley below
The races for all age categories started early and at 07:30 the gun was fired for Youth A & B categories to start the ascent of the VK from Friday’s racing before reaching the cable car station to run new routes over the mountain plateaus and ridges that seem so reminiscent of Scotland, but with kinder weather.
Youth C and the U23 age Cats started over the next 30 minutes and over 200 young skyrunners were on the mountains racing hard in the warm, but breezy conditions.
Both routes contained ridge running, with the Youth C and U23’s getting some classic ‘roped’ ascents up technical ground and over ridge-lines, runners reporting the racing to be hard but super enjoyable.
Betty Bergstrand flying to a 6th place in the Youth C category on the longer Sky Race ©ISF
Chloe Rylance [13th Youth C] was reported saying; “ After surviving the VK for the 2nd time this weekend, I was super excited to get to the main section of the course. The top scramble was Proper Mountain running and suited me perfectly! I managed to claw back some time on this loop which left me in a pretty good position before starting the hellish switchback descent of the VK to the finish”
Sophie Rylance on her way to 18th in her Youth B age Cat ©ISF
Just missing the podium for the team, the UK Squads overall performance gained them a coveted 5th place. Solid performance’s and many top 10 finishes placed them very highly indeed and coming from the UK in a top temp of 16˚C it was a mild shock to the UK runners to step out into 36˚C+ in Rome before heading up to the events centre based at 1000m roughly and it still be in the low 30’s
Grant Finlay on his way to 20th position in Youth C ©ISF
Grant Finlay said; “I really enjoyed the events. Both races were great, the courses were a great mix of different types of sky running terrain with steep, technical, fast and exposed sections. The event was brilliantly organised and coordinated. Also big thanks to Niki she did a great job of coordinating things from the UK team side. Overall it was an amazing experience, I hope to be able to participate again next year and am thankful for the opportunity.”
Emily Field also had a cracking run and reported back; “ I actually loved the opportunity to race the VK again at the start of Sunday’s racing and after the heat wave Europe has ben experiencing, I was really worried the heat would get to me, but the drop in temps from Friday to Sunday suited me really well. The atmosphere was amazing and I felt very supported by the marshals and safety out on the course”
Irelands team were racing really well but Adam Byrne reported; “ I got a blister at 6km and the rest of the race was really tough to keep going, but with the final roped ascent, I found energy to push again and finish”
Adam Byrne [U23] having a tough race with blisters on their way ©ISF
We would like to thank Niki Rylance and Steve Ashworth for managing the UK Squad and Yann Valdez for managing the Irish Squad, plus massive thanks go to our kit sponsors for the UK, Ron Hill, whose Harry Bolton [one of the UK team] designed the kit as well and of course IMRA for kitting the Irish Team out in country colours.
All results can be viewed her: ………………… https://www.skyrunning.com/2023-youth-skyrunning-world-championships-ranking/
Reported by Charles Sproson
Skyrunning UK and Ireland – Youth Skyrunner Championships 2023
Hot conditions for the UK and Ireland teams in the Italian Gran Sasso region.
Hot conditions for the UK and Ireland teams in the Italian Gran Sasso region.
Teams from 32 countries around the world arrived in Rome, Italy to baking conditions, with temps in the lowlands being 36 ˚ C and above.
The Skyraces take are taking place in a small mountain ski area in the Gran Sasso region in a small village called Fonte Cerreto. For the UK and Ireland youth skyrunners it was going to be a tough Friday for the VK with temps still in the high 20’s at the start 1100m.
Full Skyrunning UK and Ireland Team [with a token US runner] at the finish after the VK ©Skyrunning UK
The VK course was mid distance at 3.6km, with a vertical climb of 1002m, a steep start with a break at mid height which saw some impressive ‘sprints’ to the next steep section, which was a final kick up the last 200m of the course with ‘switch backs being missed for a direct ascent until the final ‘gentle’ pull up to the finish, where those who still had the legs for running, pushed for the finish gantry.
Beth Rawlinson having fun on the final push to the finish ©Skyrunning UK
There were notable performances in the VK by Finlay Grant [15th overall], Harry Bolton [19th overall] and Edward Corden [?] for the boys. In the girls race Betty Bergstrand [144th overall], Beth Rawlinson [161th overall] and Lex Whitaker [165th overall] places the highest amongst the other runners and UK/Ireland members.
Amazing running from all of the UK and Irish contingency, with solid results put in all round from the team, everyone putting in their best result on the day for the conditions presented underfoot and by the weather.
Harry Bolton pushing to a top 20 finish ©Skyrunning UK
With a rest day today, thunder/lightning storms and heavy rain overnight, the temperature dial has been turned down and the trails may-well be more suited and favourable to the UK and Irish skill set.
Betty Bergstrand on hr way to take the highest UK female positioning [144th] ©Skyrunning UK
The Skyraces take place tomorrow and it will be seen as to how the weather last night has changed the trails or not, as the case maybe.
We’ll be reporting back on Monday with the events from Sunday.
All results can be viewed in the link below:
Wild weather hits the Lakes
Wild weather sets the stage for the 3rd race in the Skyrunning UK and Ireland series, the Helvellyn Sky Ultra
The start of the revised Helvellyn Sky Ultra 2023 ©Andy Milton Photography
The 3rd of the Skyrunning UK races took place over the weekend and wow what a wild weekend of weather and running it was.
The events team were toiling hard all week to re-adjust the courses as thunder and lightning looked likely to cancel the event, but with final weather reports showing the storm might well pass under the Lake District the team had re-designed the course to go ahead in all but the worst conditions.
Saturday morning saw the hardy 139 entrants from 12 different nations taking part in the new shortened Thunder and Lightning route. The weather was hard, the rain was falling and the wind was picking up.
Harsh conditions ©AndyMiltonPhotography
Usual suspects stood at the front of the start line with Calum Scullion, Luke Roberts, Hugh Chatfield, George Fisher and James Wilkins with the chance of a podium finish and in the women’s line up there was Alicia Schawarzenbach, Keri Wallace, Amelia Balfour, Maddie Brunt and Robyn Cassidy all in the mix for the podium spots.
With the course having under gone a major change for the weather, the terrain was going to suit everyone differently as no longer was it a 57km skyrunning beast with 3700m of ascent, but a much tamer 42km course with 1950m ascent and whilst the true nature of the course was changed quite drastically, there was still the sky ultra element to the route, albeit a much faster race for the runners. Those who could move fast on trail were bound to excel over the course.
Hugh Chatfield, Luke Roberts and George Fisher lead the zig zags ascent ©Route North
At the front of the men’s race Luke Roberts led the first ascent to Sticks Pass, dropping back as Hugh Chatsfield took the lead on the descent to Stanah and the first timing checkpoint. With Hugh in the winning position, he was closely followed by George Fisher, James Wilkins and Calum Scullion with Luke staying in the mix with the lead group.
As the rain smashed down and thunder and lightening threatened the race from the south of the county, the lead guys toiled it out for the podium spots.
Crossing the line was Hugh Chatsfield for the winners place, followed by George Fisher and 3rd over the line was James Wilkins, Calum Scullion taking 4th and Luke Roberts making the top 5.
Hugh Chatfield wins the shortened Helvellyn Sky Ultra 2023 ©Andy Milton Photography
The women’s race was equally as exciting with some obvious changes to what the top 3 might have been, now the course was much more ‘runnable’, meaning Keri Wallace’s technical running ‘edge’ was now reduced to those with the faster trail skills.
The race found Robyn Cassidy pushing hard throughout closely followed by Alicia Schwarzenbach who is no stranger to hard and technical sky racing, not an out and out trail runner, having podium-ed in the last two Skyrunning UK and Ireland races, but this was a different race with a different skill set.
With the first 2 podium spots looking set, albeit they were racing hard against each other, the 3rd place was still to be taken. Keri Wallace kept the pressure on, but didn’t have the trail speed to take Amelia Balfour who was consistently a few minutes faster to each timing point and took the 3rd position for the shortened Helvellyn Sky Ultra 2023.
Focused faces on the start line HSU 2023 ©Andy Milton Photography
So with the 3rd race in the season complete, Skyrunning UK and Ireland look north to Scotland to watch the Salomon Ben Nevis Ultra unfold and take place in the middle of September.
This will be the final race over the highest mountains in the UK completing the National Three Peaks, but not the end of the series.
One week later, we travel to the west coast of Ireland to Donegal and the superbly wild Seven Sisters Sky Race that traverses the wild and remote mountain, Errigal, for an out and back of 55km and 4000m vert to finish the season off.
Robyn Cassidy, female champion of the Helvellyn Sky Race 2023 ©Andy Milton Photography
For all those runners looking to take part in the Skyrunning UK and Ireland national series, we want to remind you that for 2023 you need 3 races that count. So if you have raced 3 in the series, then you are through to the finals in the ranking, but don’t let that stop you for entering the Seven Sisters, as the Ben Nevis Ultra is full, as your best 3 race results count and so you might better your race results so far, bringing you 1 step closer to being champion of the UK and Ireland series.
As Skyrunning UK and Ireland re-establishes itself for 2023, watch this space for 2024 and what new and wonderful things we have coming.
Cooler Temperatures for Snowdon SkyRace®
Things for hotting up for the Snowdon SkyRace but the temps have dropped. After a 6 week block of almost wall to wall sunshine in the west and north west of the UK, the weather has broken days before the Snowdon SkyRace® is due to happen.
Sophie Gibbens racing in the 2022 Snowdon SkyRace® - ©Andy Milton
The Rab Snowdon SkyRace is the 2nd race in the Skyrunning UK and Ireland series for 2023, with the possibility of skyracers reaching the loft heights of the 2nd highest mountain in the UK, being Snowdon, but will weather put a stop to reaching the sky?
With low pressures hanging out to the west over the Atlantic sea, warmer temps have abated slightly but we may see a build to thunder and lightening on Sunday evening. The Apex Running safety team will be on full discussions about what the right thing to do is and no doubt, final decisions will be made late Saturday night for the following days skyracing.
Findlay Wild running to the converted podium 1 position in the 2021 World Series edition of the Snowdon SkyRace® - ©Guilliem Casanova
In the past, Snowdon has been a World Series race, but the covid restrictions almost put a stop to that in 2021. Having some of the UK skyrunning greats take part in the race means the record is fast for both women and men, but will there be a challenge to this for the 2023 edition of the uber-technical roller coaster of a course.
Rab athlete, Georgia Tindley on her way to first place in the World Series edition of the Rab Snowdon SkyRace® - ©Guilliem Casanova
In the women’s race [29 entered] things look to be very exciting with the previous winner of both Pinnacle Ridge Extreme and Glencoe Skyline from 2022, Georgia Tindley will be vying for the 1st place and top podium spot. Surely there will be a fantastic race in progress for the top 5 female positions. In the line up we have Helen Brown often in the podium mix, Keri Wallace maurading again from the northern highlands, Karolina Woloszczyk of Polish descendancy who was 3rd in the recent Scafell Sky Race, Sophie Gibbens and lastly but certainly not leastly, Alicia Schwarzenbach who is showing true form already this year with her win at the recent Scafell Sky Race in the Lakes.
Female skyrunner in 2021 edition of the Rab Snowdon SkyRace® - ©Guilliem Casanova
Looking at the mens race, it’s a little more difficult to identify but we have 3 known skyrunners in the mix for the podium positions plus always the unknowns coming from other disciplines in the trail and mountain running circuit.
George Fisher is on great form this season and will be vying for that 1st place podium spot for champion of the race, slipping into the mix there is Ben James (part of the Rab athletes team), Richard Bannister who was in great form last season, but yet to be seen racing on the Skyruning UK and Ireland sries for 2023 and some possibles looking to place in the top 5 are Dave Parkin, Craig Lowe and Ben James from Rab.
Having fun on Crib Goch ©EvanDavies
Whilst the Rab Snowdon SkyRace® is underway, the Rab Copper SkyTrails will be racing hard through the lower passes and mountains of Snowdon with a fast line up of racers, male and female.
Mountain runner on the Rab Copper Sky Trails race ©Evan Davies
Overall there are 16 countries will be represented over the 2 races, with the Champions of the Rab Snowdon SkyRace® coming away with the coveted Red Dragon Trophy.
Looking forward to the next races in the season after Snowdon, we’ll be heading back to the Lakes for the ultra roller coaster of a skyrace, the Rab Helvellyn Sky Ultra on the 15th July.
Snowdon SkyRace® Red Dragon - ©Guilliem Casanova
Rab Scafell Sky Race 2023 we are go..!
With 5 races to go at, 3 of them summiting the highest peaks in the UK and 1 in Ireland on the West Coast of Donnegal, this is a series to be reckoned with.
With 5 races to go at, 3 of them summiting the highest peaks in the UK and 1 in Ireland on the West Coast of Donnegal, this is a series to be reckoned with.
The first race to kick off the season is the RAB Scafell Sky Race, based in the English Lake District in the spectacular valley of Great Langdale. This is the 6th edition of the race and the Lake District Sky Trails team have an exciting line up of 269 runners to toe the start line.
Skyrunners from all over the country and world are descending on a busy Lake District to pit themselves over a super hard 40km of pure skyrunning with 2800m of ascent thrown in for good measure and to test the legs of the best skyrunners in the world.
Skyrunners descending the moraine landscape of Scafell Pike ©RouteNorthPhotography
Well renowned skyrunners have set records and left their mark on the Lakeland Fells, with Tom Evans and Georgia Tindley setting new records in 2022. Who will be fast enough to beat these pretty damn fast times, being 04:30:54 for the men’s record and 05:48:46 for the women’s.
In the line up for this years race there are a few notable names, rising stars and old hats; check out the skyrunning stars below…..
First up we have Andrew Lamont, no stranger to rough mountains, hailing from bonny Scotland and taking the win at the Glen Coe Skyline, Snowdon Sky Race and Pinnacle Ridge Extreme in 2021 and 2022. Andrew is a sure favourite for a podium spot.
Next steps up Kim Collison, local legend and previous 24 hour summit holder for the Lakeland Fells. Kim has many wins under his belt in all disciplines from ultra to trail. On home turf, Kim is going to put in a solid performance and likely to hit that top podium place.
Hot on his heals will be Josh Wade, another local lad from Kendal and winner of the recent UTS 100M in Wales and 2nd in the Scafell Sky Race 2021.
George Fisher will be in the mix for a top spot, performing in the top 5 in 2021 on the UK Skyrunning circuit. Finally there will be some unknowns and of course a couple of Lakeland stars with Andrew Rutter surely in with a chance of the top 5.
Tom Evans on his way to a new course record, Rab Scafell Sky Race 2022 ©RouteNorthPhotography
Georgia Tindley - on the pinnacles of the Rab Pinnacle Ridge Extreme 2022 ©RouteNorthPhotography
Looking at the Ladies race, Faith Dalgaty must surely be on the card for a win, taking the first place at the Helvellyn Sky Ultra back in 2021. Hot on her heels will be Alicia Schwarzenbach who is super consistent in the womens’ racing with two 3rd places in the Lakes last year on the Scafell Sky Race and Pinnacle Ridge Extreme.
Keri Wallace is marauding from Scotland, fresh out of a great Winter’s running, setting the womens’ record for a solo Winter Tranters Round and is no strnger to rough terrain and how to move over it in the most efficient style. In the mix for the top places we have Sophie Gibbens [4th at Snowdon Sky Race 2022 and 5th in the Pinnacle Ridge Extreme in 2021]. Kat Sizer looks to also be making a return to sky racing and is sure to be in the top 5.
With hot conditions forecast and dry fells, it looks like it will be a tough race for the 269 sky runners taking part and one of the main race strategies will be how to stay hydrated on such a dry course with only 1 aid station to keep them going.
It’s all up in the air for an awesome weekend’s sky racing over England’s highest mountain range, the uber rocky and technical Scafell Massif.
Who will be crowned champions of the Rab Scafell Sky Race 2023?
Watch the race from your home following the skyrunners on the Open Tracking links below:
The Sun Gods beat down on the Lake District for the 6th edition of the Rab Scafell Sky Race
The Sun Gods beat down on the Lake District…..
UK Skyrunning - Scafell Sky Race 2023
Luke Grenfell-Shaw on his way to win the Rab Scafell Sky Race 2023 - Paul Mitchell @ RouteNorthPhotography
The skyracing last Saturday was fast and furious as the sun beat competitors into the hot rocks of the Lake District on the awesome Rab Scafell Sky Race 2023. European weather ruled as the rest of the country is covered in cloud.
Around 200 skyrunners stood on the start line of the Rab Scafell Sky Race, which in its 6th edition, just keeps getting better and better and is a true showcase of what Skyrunning in the UK really has to offer. Sun baked trails, rocky moraine over the Gable and Scafell Massifs, dribbles for streams/water sources and hardened skyrunners, the Scafell Sky Race epitomised what the start of the Skyrunner UK and Ireland Series for 2023 is all about.
George Fisher on his way to 2nd place - Paul Mitchell @ RouteNorthPhotography
The main checkpoint at Seathwaite Farm for food and drink was like a scene from the trails of Europe. Local meats and cheeses on display to not only feed the hungry runners in need of protein and salt but again, showcase what the English Lake District has to offer. Fear not as vegans, allergies and other diets were of course catered for.
The RAB Scafell Sky Race 2023, race report:
At the sharp end of the Womens’ race, Alicia Schwarzenbach dominated from the start gun sitting behind Holly Clifford until past CP1, where she never let go of the lead again and literally flew over the race route. Alicia has been strong and consistent over the last few years racing in the UK and from the start she displayed letting up, with only a desire to win. Unsurprisingly she took the premium podium spot and crossed the line in 1st place.
Hot on her heals and chasing all day was Holly Clifford, keeping on the pressure and crossing the finish line in 06:34:07, a good 30 minutes off Alicia’s winning time of 06:05:11. Alicia’s time was around 18 minutes off Georgia Tindley’s record from 2022, but improving her own race time from 2022 by 50 minutes.
In the race for the 3rd place, Karolina Woloszczyk ran very strongly, holding off 4th lady [Keri Wallace] and 5th lady [Olivia Zeltner] to place on the final podium spot in a time of 06:42:20.
Karolina Woloszczyk on the rocky terrain - Paul Mitchell @ RouteNorthPhotography
The Men’s race was very similar, no records were broken, but nontheless, fast and furious racing from the leading 5 males, each pushing the other to gain their best results. Over the first 3 checkpoints, Luke Grenfell-Shaw, George Fisher and Kim Collison ran neck-and-neck, jostling position on the ascents and descents.
By the midway feed station, CP5 at Seathwaite Farm, Luke had established a lead that he was to maintain until the finish and being his first Sky Race it was a very impressive run indeed. He came over the finish line to take the champion-crown of the men’s race in a fantastic time of 04:45:13 albeit still 15 minutes slower than the record set last year by the ultra speedy Tom Evans.
2nd and 3rd played out in similar ways, with George Fisher keeping Kim Collison just behind him, both crossing the line to respectively take 2nd and 3rd podium places and complete the trio of winners for the 2023 edition of the Rab Scafell Sky Race.
4th and 5th places went to Hugh Chatfield and Andrew Lamont, both committed skyrunners and podium finishers in their own right.
Keri Wallace racing the waist of Gable - Al Topping @ Xtreme Exposures
With the first race of the season now complete, all eyes turn to the RAB Snowdon Sky Race on the 25th June 2023. Based out of Snowdonia it is the 2nd of the Skyrunner UK and Ireland series races over Wales’ highest mountain and the 2nd highest peak in the UK.
With 3 races acting as a pre-requisite for being crowned the Champion Female and Male Skyrunner in the UK for 2023, things are only just starting to warm up for the season!
Places are still available on the RAB Snowdon Sky Race and close in a week or more, so there is still time to book yourself a place to race in the Welsh mountains.
See you all in Snowdonia for a fantasist Welsh ‘uber-technical’ and pure sky race.