It’s ten years since the first Skyrunning World Championships were introduced and it’s time to celebrate with a record 32 countries from across the world participating at host event, Croatia, on May 8-10, 2026.
A total of 208 young and aspiring skyrunners will line up at the Absolute Biokovo Challenge events in the coastal town of Makarska, featuring two skyrunning disciplines – VERTICAL and SKY – on specifically designed courses.
Croatia is hosting its first international skyrunning event just three years after becoming an ISF Member, testimony to the incredible development the sport has had there since. They secured their first international medal – a bronze, at the Skyrunning Masters World Championships just two years later.
The location is nothing less than spectacular. The Biokovo mountains rise steeply above the Adriatic Sea, from where, on a clear day, the Italian Apennines can be seen. The classic “sea to sky” concept is perfectly embodied here, with the summit of Sveti Jure reaching 1,762m altitude.
Photo: Both SKY courses reach 1,622m altitude ascending over technical, rocky terrain, ©Luka Bosnjak
The action begins on Friday, May 8, with the VERTICAL – a perfect VK – 980m vertical climb over 4.5 km reaching 1,264m altitude, followed by a traditional parade of nations.
Seventy-five medals are at stake, split across four age categories – Youth A (15-16), Youth B (17-18), Youth C (19-20) and U23 (21-23). Individual, combined and national titles will also be awarded.
On Saturday, May 9, all athletes will take part in an anti-doping panel, part of the WADA educational programme. This initiative reflects the ISF’s ongoing commitment and never-ending efforts to inform skyrunners about the complex information available, to understand the importance of therapeutic exemption, prohibited substances, testing, and how to follow a healthy career in a fair sport.
The weekend’s main event on Sunday, May 10, is dedicated to the SKY discipline.
Youth A and B categories will compete over a 12.5 km long course with 1,150m vertical climb, reaching the highest point at 1,336m. Youth C and U23 will race the full course: 20.5 km with 1,450m vertical climb. Both courses start just above sea level and ascend over rocky ridges to reach to 1,622m altitude, rewarding the extreme effort with spectacular views of the Adriatic below. More
