Who we are

US Skyrunning champions the growth of skyrunning for youth and adults throughout the United States and internationally. Founded to introduce young athletes to the thrill of international skyrunning competition, we continue to foster that passion today.

We assemble and support teams representing the USA at ISF Skyrunning Championships and certify premier skyrunning courses nationwide. Our evolving programs include accrediting specialized camps and coaching certifications that elevate the sport.

Our mission is to establish a robust skyrunning community in the USA by empowering athletes, coaches, and races united by a love for running in rugged, natural landscapes where mountains meet the sky.

Group of runners in matching patriotic shirts hiking on a mountain trail with rocky slopes and green hills in the background.
  • A man kneeling on a gravel trail in a wooded area with two dogs, one tan with a harness and the other white, standing beside him.

    Ryan Kerrigan

    Executive Director

    Ryan sits on the General Assembly Management Committee with The International Skyrunning Federation, and has assembled and coached teams at the Skyrunning Youth World Championships since 2017. He has also overseen and supported athletes at the Adult Skyrunning World and Continental Championship events.

    ​In addition to being the Head Coach of US Skyrunning, Ryan is a mountain and trail coach with Ridgeline Athletics (based in Squamish, BC.) Ryan recently relocated to the Apennine Mountains of Italy to pursue his passion for running and skiing in rugged mountains. You can follow his current endeavors via Alpensole.com.

    Ryan competed as a youth athlete in track, cross country, and Nordic skiing, qualifying for numerous national championship events. He also competed at The University of Vermont as a member of the UVM Nordic Ski Team for 4 years, while also earning a bachelors degree in Kinesiology. 

  • A man with gray hair and a beard stands in a snowy forest, wearing a blue jacket, khaki pants, and a backpack, holding a trekking pole near a small snow-covered waterfall.

    John Kerrigan

    President

    John Kerrigan dedicated 46 years to education and coaching at Harwood Union High School in Vermont (1977-2023). John was twice named his school's Vermont Teacher of the Year representative and a two-time runner-up for Vermont Biology Teacher of the Year. His exceptional work with special needs students earned him the prestigious Golden Apple award.

    As a coach, John achieved remarkable success across three sports. His varsity teams in cross country, Nordic skiing, and track captured an impressive 47 state titles while producing numerous state, regional, and national champions—including an Olympian. His coaching excellence earned him recognition as National Girls Cross Country Coach of the Year three times (2000, 2015, 2021) by the U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Association. In 2019, he was inducted into the Run Vermont Hall of Fame.

    Beyond his teaching and coaching career, John has made his mark as an author with his first book "Just Raise Your Left Hand", a group of short stories based on his teaching and coaching career. All proceeds from his book go toward supporting US Skyrunning.

    Today, John continues his involvement in athletics as Assistant Coach for the U.S. Skyrunning team and serves as a certified Skyrunning referee.

    John lives in South Duxbury, Vermont.

  • A woman dressed in athletic gear, wearing a black jacket, colorful leggings, and a headband with orange, yellow, and blue colors, standing on a rocky mountain trail with rock formations and metal stairs in the background.

    Hanni Guinn

    Support Maestra / Women’s Coach

    Hanni is an Advanced Rolfer™ with 20 years of experience as a bodyworker and a dedicated mountain athlete. She offers comprehensive support both on and off the trail for US Skyrunning.

    Recently relocated to Italy, Hanni is currently training with Somatic Experiencing® International to deepen her expertise in helping individuals heal from trauma. When she’s not exploring the mountains or working with bodywork clients, she coaches online through her Somatic Intimacy and Empowerment practice.

    Her current focus is on empowering female athletes who have experienced trauma in the mountains, guiding them to release fear and return stronger, more energized, and more powerful than before.

    Learn more about Hanni and her coaching at hanniguinn.com.​

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