There’s so much happening…we can’t keep up!
July 7, 2026
In this newsletter we celebrate Inaugural Youth North and Central Continental Championships, The VK Open World Cup in Whiteface, New York, the Masters Skyrunning World Championships and the kick off of the Merrell Skyrunner® US Series!…
Youth Skyrunners celebrated the inaugural Youth North and Central Skyrunning Championships at The Meet the Minotaur in Crowsnest Pass, Alberta, Canada.
VERTICAL Discipline (Minotaur VK): A brutal, lung-busting 4 km course featuring a massive 970-meter vertical climb, peaking at an altitude of 2,380 meters.
SKY Discipline (Mini-Taur): A highly technical 10 km mountain route packing 950 meters of elevation gain7 American athletes represented at the event- spanning from Maine to Alaska!
“Meet the Minotaur was the lightning bolt that we needed” said US Skyrunning coach, Ryan Kerrigan.
“US youth runners are hungry for more events within their region, and we need these frameworks to help young skyrunners truly develop.
These courses were as beautiful and technical as anything we’re racing in Europe and The Minotaur staff- Andrew, Hugo and Chris and the greater Blairmore community nestled in the heart of the Canadian rockies, were as friendly and accommodating as we could ask for. We’re looking forward to further developing youth skyrunning with Meet the Minotaur!”
Thank you to all our athletes who brought energy and inspiration to the mountains of Canada!
Jetta Betts (CO), Hailey Desmarais (MA), Enzo Giampaolo (ME), Scottorn McMillen (NV), Michael Murray (AK), Josephine Smeets (AZ), and Eston Sutherland (Spain, CO)
“The SkyRace was such a challenging course but I had so much fun!! The climb along the ridge was amazing and the downhill was challenging. Thank you to everyone who made this race possible, I had so much fun!!”
-Jetta Betts (CO) at just 16 years old, the American sensation crushed the female division, taking home two individual gold medals along with the overall Combined female title.
“Really happy to get out there again representing US Skyrunning at a race as cool as the Minotaur Skyrace. With all the youth athletes pioneering the Youth North and Central American Skyrunning Championships portion of the event it was super cool to win some of the first medals awarded. Hopefully more athletes from all the countries come out again next year to make these awesome two races in Canada even better!”
-Enzo Giampaolo (ME) pocketed two individual silver medals, securing a silver in the overall Combined ranking.
Photo: @nikos.fastlight
“I had a great time racing this weekend! I am gratefulI had the opportunity and I had an amazing time. The races were challenging and beautiful”
-Josephine Smeets (AZ) delivered a stellar performance to take home double silver medals for the American squad.
Photo: @nikos.fastlight
“A SkyRace to remember. Over the 10km course in the Canadian rockies, I gave it my all. Coming home with two bronze medals and many memories.”
-Eston Sutherland (Spain/CO) strung together back to back performances strong enough to earn two bronze medals in the VK and Combined category.
Photo: @nikos.fastlight
Chris Grauch represents at the Masters Skyrunning World Championships in Arêches, France
The fourth annual Masters Skyrunning World Championships kicked off in Arêches-Beaufort, Savoie, France. 25 countries represented.
There were two courses including a Vertical Kilometer® and SkyRace®. The SkyUltra® portion is slated for October 4, 2026 – São Pedro do Sul, Portugal.
Chris Grauch (CO) stamped in as the first ever representative from The USA in these champs blazing to a 45 minute finish on the 3.8 kilometer course with 870 meters of vertical gain.
“It’s fantastic that the Skyrunning Federation has started a world championship for masters athletes. The course was phenomenal, deep competition, and you couldn’t ask for a nicer location in the Savoie region!” -Chris Grauch (CO)
Interested in repping at The 2026 Masters Skyrunning Championships Ultra in Portugal on October 4, 2026?
There’s still some time! Application available here.
The VK Open World Cup touches down in the USA
Whiteface featured a grueling, highly anticipated uphill mountain race in Wilmington, New York. Athletes conquered a punishing 4.2-kilometer course featuring an intense 970-meter vertical climb across the Adirondack High Peaks, reaching an elevation of 1,320 meters.
Men’s Top 3 Results
Meikael Beaudoin-Rousseau (USA) - 33’15”
Suguru Inui (JPN) - 37’58”
AJ Beers (USA) - 42’20”
Women’s Top 3 Results
Brianna Karboski (USA) - 51’02”
Charlotte Winkler (USA) - 52’13”
Gabby DeAngelis (USA) - 52’29”
Gabby DeAngelis will also be joining the Championship team headed to La Gomera in September!!
The Merrell Skyrunner® US Series takes flight!
Also at Whiteface- The Whiteface SkyRace® was an explosive, highly demanding 21 km mountain race in Wilmington, New York. Featuring a brutal 2,400+ meters of vertical gain, it served as the opening challenge of the Merrell Skyrunner® USA Series.
Morgan Elliott (2:48:32) and Robin Vieira (3:24:26) took the honors among 19 runners- The first of four US races slated for the summer season ranging from New Hampshire to Alaska. The Beast of Big Creek SkyRace® will also be part of the Skyrunner® World Series.
Skyrunning is BACK in the USA! Join the action! Link to Merrell US Series 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.
Three Ways to Make It Happen
Become a Vert Member — $30 Unlock up to 60% off gear from 400+ outdoor brands. It pays for itself on your first purchase — and every sale supports the team.
Official US Skyrunning gear for the mountain, the track, and the trail. Look the part. Fund the mission.
Make a Direct Donation No gear needed — just belief. Every dollar goes toward putting US athletes on the world stage, from the starting line to the podium.
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:
“Quality Time”— STRFKR
“Gold, Guns, Girls” — Metric
“Another World” — Mind Enterprises
