The 2026 Monte Rosa SkyMarathon events will, for the first time, include four races – all above 3,000m altitude. Europe’s highest race and birthplace of skyrunning is ready to welcome a record number of athletes and countries to the mountain village of Alagna Valsesia, Piedmont, Italy, on June 13, 2026.
The new record number of competitors totals 664 including athletes from as far as Australia, Brazil, South Africa and United States, who will tackle the lack of oxygen and the steep technical ascents and descents over moraine, ridges, snow fields and glaciers.
The main event, the Monte Rosa SkyMarathon, where competitors race in pairs for safety, past champions are back to enjoy the challenge of the 35 km course with 7,000m climb and descent from the summit of Monte Rosa at 4,554m.
Undisputed star of the show is Italy’s William Boffelli with six wins in a row. As a glaciologist and athlete, he brings a unique perspective to the race’s glacier environment. After last year’s win with partner Roberto Delorenzi from Switzerland, 2022 Skyrunning World Champion, the pair seem invincible.
There’s no stopping Swedish twins Lina and Sanna El Kott, back for the third time after clinching victory in 2021 and 2025. Inspiring women athletes around the world, last year Sanna raced, and won, when she was pregnant. “I’m very happy to be able to run just five months after giving birth, and it will be like a victory just to have my son Noa at the finish line. Of course, we will have lots of fun out on the course, as we had last year.” Her sister Lina commented, “I’m very happy to be running together again, and especially in our favourite race!”
Among those coming back for more is American-French athlete Hillary Gerardi who won the first edition of the relaunch in 2018 and came second in 2024 – with different partners. This year, Gerardi will pair with top runner Ida Nilsson from Sweden.
A third category for mixed pairs which falls into the men’s ranking, will see South African Meg Mackenzie race with American Cody Lind.
In 2025, a new race was introduced – the Monte Rosa SkySummit – the uphill-only version of the Monte Rosa SkyMarathon, which, for reasons of safety, is also run in pairs, harnessed together and wearing micro crampons above the snow line.
Last year’s winner, Italian Marcello Ugazio, will partner with Fiorillo Camesi from Switzerland, fresh from a gold medal in the recent Youth World Championships.
The 2025 women’s winner, Italian Camilla Calosso is also back racing with Switzerland’s Lisa Boschetti who came first in the 2023 mixed category.
Swiss couple Victoria Kreuzer and Martin Anthamatten, first and third respectively in last year’s AMA VK2, will join forces to race the SkySummit.
German couple Florian and Susi Reichert will be chasing their dreams after a late-night journey from Germany to arrive just in time for the race start. Florian Reichert has a strong skyrunning history, including iconic races like Kima and Zegama (five times).
“I’ve participated in mountain, trail and skyrunning races all over the world, but coming to Alagna for Monte Rosa SkySummit is a dream come true!
“I feel like I’ve seen it all, but if there’s one race I’d really like to experience in my career as an athlete, it’s Monte Rosa. Especially as it is an event I can do with my partner and wife, Susi, to celebrate the sport we both love and share. I’ve heard so many good things about the race and its organisation and being able to ascend to the highest hut in the Alps in a race is a thought that is just mind-blowing. I love the technicality and variety of the race and am really looking forward to seeing this special event with my own eyes.”
This year, the new Monte Rosa SkyRace® will launch where single athletes will take on the extreme challenge of 5,000m of combined ascent and descent in just over 25 kilometres to the Gnifetti Hut at 3,647m altitude – pure skyrunning.
Some past SkyMarathon podium placers will be lining up for this new jewel including Italians Daniel Antonioli, who took second from 2022 to 2024, and Mattia Bertoncini, second in 2025.
VK specialist Louis Dumas from France is aiming for a bigger challenge. “I’m really looking forward to discovering this new race, the little sister of the main event, but one that shares much of its technicality! This kind of truly demanding format motivates me enormously, and I hope to be able to enjoy it throughout the race. The Monte Rosa events remains unique; the conditions are rarely encountered: snow and altitude. Physical adaptation will be just as important as technical skill and fitness!”
Local woman, Italian Agnese Valz Gen, daughter-in-law of the standing Monte Rosa SkyMarathon record-holder Gisella Bendotti, placed seventh in the main race in 2021, while Lex Whitaker from the UK who took two gold medals in the 2024 Youth World Championships, is ready for a new adventure. “I’m not sure what to expect – I’ve never done a race that’s needed a harness before! It will definitely be a challenge but I’m excited to give it a go!”
The events conclude with the AMA VK2 double Vertical Kilometer®, which tops out at 3,260m, completing the all-round focus on pure skyrunning at high altitude – the first time in the event’s history with four races above 3,000m.
ISF Course Certified lists all certified courses worldwide plus the technical level
ISF Ranking – performance ranking based on all the CC races
Access for the public to the course up to 3,275m altitude is available on race day with the Monterosa 2000 cable car. See here for schedules and prices.
Live streaming will be delivered on You Tube filmed from the Margherita Hut at 4,554m.
