The La Gomera Paradise Sky Race 2026, which will take place from 18 to 20 September, has confirmed the participation of teams from 19 countries across Europe, America, Africa, and Asia. The event, with fewer than 20 spots available, is nearly fully booked.
The island of La Gomera is preparing to host an unprecedented sporting milestone. From 18 to 20 September, it will host the 2026 Skyrunning World Championship, an event that will bring together 19 national teams from four continents. The organisation, managed by Gomesport Eventos, has confirmed that only 20 spots remain to reach the maximum quota of 1,500 participants.
A luxury international lineup
Among the confirmed teams are skyrunning powerhouses such as Spain, Italy, France, and Norway from Europe; the United States, Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia from America; Eritrea as the African representative; and Japan as one of the Asian teams. The presence of these countries makes La Gomera the global epicentre of mountain running.
The competition, endorsed by the International Skyrunning Federation, will be contested in three categories: Vertical, Sky, and Ultra. There will be 27 medals and the titles of world champions at stake. This will be the ninth edition of the championship and the fourth time Spain has hosted it.
The Spanish team, with notable names
The national team, led by Nuria Domínguez Azpeleta, has already confirmed its members. In the Vertical category, runners will include Claudia Corral Hodar, Moana Kheres Kheres, Naiara Irigoyen Indave, Lluís Puigvert Palacios, José Antonio Bellido Puebla, and Marcos Villamuera Izquierdo. For the Sky event, Spain will feature Claudia Corral Hodar, Ana Granda Valles, Dimas Pereira Obaya, Jaime Romo Santamaría, Jonatán Arobes Álvarez, and Fabian Venero Jiménez. In the Ultra distance, the representatives will be Pere Aurell Bové, Julen Calvo Vigara, Pau Moreno Martín, Alba Villanova Del Moral, Sonia Vizcaíno Hungría, and Mireia Pons Torres.
The national team already held a training camp in Vallehermoso last weekend to finalise their preparations. The runners will face a demanding course through the island's ravines, peaks, and technical trails.
Tourism and economic impact for La Gomera
The organisation has limited the number of spots to 1,500 to ensure the quality of the event and avoid overwhelming the island's services. The pace of registrations has been frantic: in the first 24 hours after opening on 12 April, 65% of the quota was already filled. Now, with fewer than 20 spots left, a full house is imminent.
This event will provide a significant promotional boost for La Gomera. The presence of elite athletes and popular runners will project the island's image internationally, consolidating it as a key destination for sports tourism. The event is supported by the Cabildo Insular de La Gomera and the municipalities of San Sebastián de La Gomera, Vallehermoso, Hermigua, Valle Gran Rey, and Agulo, as well as sponsorship from Promotur Islas Canarias, Fred. Olsen Express, Grandesport, and Cajasiete.
Schedule and timings
On Friday, 18 September, the competition will kick off with the Vertical category in the morning. On Saturday, 19 September, the Ultra Sky, Marathon Sky, Short Sky, and Starter Sky events will take place. Sunday, 20 September, will feature the Sky Race, one of the most anticipated days. In addition to the national teams, independent athletes will also be able to participate in separate starts, increasing the weekend's appeal.
For skyrunning enthusiasts who have not yet registered, the official website gomeraparadise.com remains open. But it's advisable to hurry: the spots are filling up fast.
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