Photo: Merrell Skyrunner World Series / Sobrescobio Skyrace.
The Skyrunner World Series reaches its deciding race on Saturday, November 7, with Jose Manuel Quispe, Frédéric Tranchand and Manuel Merillas separated by just 31 points. Sara Alonso arrives with a clearer task: finish inside the top four to secure the women’s championship.
A demanding finish in Spain
Marató dels Dements hosts the final in Spain’s Serra d’Espadà, with 42 kilometres and 3,903 metres of climbing. That is a substantial mountain day packed into marathon distance, rather than a fast season-ending victory lap.
The organisers describe the course as technical and demanding, with prior mountain-running experience essential. After a long competitive season, managing the descents could matter as much as attacking the climbs.
Quispe leads, Tranchand brings momentum
Quispe holds 478 points, followed by Tranchand on 463 and Merillas on 447. With double points available, the standings remain unsettled.
Tranchand won October’s Sobrescobio SkyRace while Merillas finished fourth. But Merillas won last year’s SkyMasters, giving him a strong reference point for the final.
Quispe’s simplest route to the championship is to finish ahead of both challengers. For the chasing pair, beating the leader is only part of the calculation: their positions relative to each other will also matter.
Photo: Merrell Skyrunner World Series / Sobrescobio Skyrace.
Alonso can race for the championship
Alonso leads Amanda Nilsson and Svetlana Nurmukhametova after victories at Acantilados del Norte, Calamorro and Sobrescobio.
A top-four finish guarantees her the title. That creates an interesting tactical choice: pursue another victory or protect the championship when the technical terrain starts taking its toll.
Photo: Merrell Skyrunner World Series / Sobrescobio Skyrace.
When and how to follow
The race starts on Saturday, November 7, at 07:30 CET / 06:30 GMT / 01:30 EST. On the US West Coast, that is 22:30 PST on Friday, November 6.
Follow checkpoint updates through the official live tracker, with race coverage and championship updates on the Skyrunner World Series website.
