Our first Masters Skyrunning Championship Team!
June 3, 2026
The fourth Masters Skyrunning World Championships will take place in Arêches, France on July 3-4, 2026 for the VERTICAL and SKY disciplines.
And on October 4th, the SKYULTRA discipline will take place in São Pedro do Sul, Portugal.
Four age categories will compete in the three disciplines for the 75 medals at stake and for the individual and team titles.
Age categories
Over 40 (40 to 44 years): born from January 1, 1982 to December 31, 1986
Over 45 (45 to 49 years): born from January 1, 1977 to December 31, 1981
Over 50 (50 to 54 years): born from January 1, 1972 to December 31, 1976
Over 55 (55 or more years): born before December 31, 1971
2026 US Skyrunning Masters Athletes
Chris Grauch, age 53, Nederland, Colorado.
Chris is a 10 time USATF Masters National Champion in mountain and trail running. When not collecting national titles Chris is a registered massage therapist and has his own mountain running coaching business.
“To me, skyrunning provides a unique perspective on our place in the natural world.” - Chris Grauch
Buzz Burrell, age 75, Moab, Utah.
Buzz Burrell helped build the world that endurance athletes now compete in. He co-founded the FKT movement, created the first mountain running series in the U.S., and changed how athletes think about carrying gear — his work with Ultimate Direction brought the first true running vest to life, one that finally stayed put instead of bouncing like a backpack. Few people can claim to have shaped as many corners of the sport, and fewer still have done it as consistently as he has.
“A highlight of my 60-year long running career was July of 2005 with my son Galen at the Dolomites Skyrace. This is the type of course I had been looking for my whole life. A major bonus was speaking with the legendary Bruno Brunod, with translation by Lauri van Houten.”
“21 years later and after running all over the world, I’m very happy to compete at the 2026 Skyrunning World Masters. The courses are still steep and technical, basically going to the top of a mountain and blazing back down again. This is what I love to do.” -Buzz Burrell
Interested in repping at The 2026 Masters Skyrunning Championships?
There’s still some time! Application available here.
The Kismet Cliff Run (NH) offers free entry to US Youth Skyrunning Team.
Tom Hooper of 603 Endurance and director of The Kismet Cliff Run has generously offered free entries to youth US Skyrunning team members for this year’s event.
US Skyrunning is very grateful to Tom and The Kismet Cliff Run organization for all of their work to keep skyrunning growing on US soil.
More details and registration for The Kismet Cliff Run available here.
You're What Gets Them There Support American Skyrunners on the World Stage
American skyrunners are among the strongest in the world. This year, they're ready to prove it.
US Skyrunning is sending teams to five major championship events in 2025 — the Youth Continental Championships in Canada, the Youth World Championships in Croatia, the World Championships in Spain, and the Skymasters Championships in France and Portugal. Athletes will compete alongside the best in the world, representing the USA at every level.
Getting there takes more than talent. Travel, lodging, uniforms, coaching, and federation fees all stand between these athletes and the starting line. That's where you come in.
Every dollar you give puts an American skyrunner on that mountain.
What's on Your Running Playlist? We're building the ultimate skyrunning soundtrack — and we want your picks.
We’re springing into the mountains and racking up the final vert before summer competitions.
We've been adding new tracks to the official US Skyrunning playlist — give it a listen and send us your suggestions.
This month's additions:
“Another World”— Mind Enterprises
“Gasoline” — Shovels and Rope
“Lights Out” - Santigold
