Triumph at the 2024 Youth Skyrunning World Championships
Ronhill proud to support the UK team at the Youth SkyRunning World Championships
The 2024 Youth Skyrunning World Championships in Bar,
Montenegro, brought together 28 teams from around the globe to compete on some
of the most challenging courses imaginable. This year marked the third time the
UK had entered a team, and it proved to be a memorable and triumphant occasion.
The event is renowned for uniting the best young sky
runners, who battle over technical courses and airy ridges, forging lifelong
memories and friendships. This year’s VK (Vertical Kilometre) was particularly
gruelling due to extreme heat, leading to a mass start for each age group.
Runners faced a 5km route over rocky limestone terrain, with soaring
temperatures and barely a breath of wind. A cool soaking at the 4km water
station was a brief respite before the final, steepest section up to the
finish.
Despite the challenging conditions, the UK team, proudly
wearing Ronhill kit, excelled. Seven runners finished in the top 10 of their
age groups. Lex Whitaker and Beth Rawlinson took gold and bronze in the Youth C
category, while Eve Pannone and Betty Bergstrand secured gold and bronze in the
U23 category.
After a well-deserved day of rest, the athletes faced the
brutal sky races: 12km with 800m of ascent for Youth A and B, and 21km with
1600m of climb for Youth C and U23. Steep climbs, boulder fields, dry stream
beds, and airy ridges tested their endurance in the relentless heat. The longer
they were out, the tougher the conditions became. Yet, those who could spare a
moment to look up were rewarded with breathtaking views of Mt. Rumija, the sea,
and Lake Skadar.
The UK team returned exhausted, battered, and bleeding from
the sharp limestone, but grateful for the cold-water pool provided at the
finish. Their efforts were rewarded with a Team Bronze—the first time the UK
has podiumed as a team! Additionally, Eve Pannone clinched individual gold, and
Lex Whitaker took home silver.
What a brilliant weekend it was for the UK team, showcasing
their strength, resilience, and the excellence of Ronhill gear. Here's to many
more victories and unforgettable experiences in the future!