The Plaza del Carmen in Vallehermoso was the meeting point for a popular five-kilometre race that brought together locals and members of the Spanish Skyrunning Team, who are concentrated on the island to prepare for the 2026 World Championships.
About a hundred people, including Vallehermoso residents and tourists, shared a five-kilometre route this Saturday with members of the Spanish Skyrunning Team. The Social Run started from the Plaza del Carmen and went through the municipality's trails, in a day that combined sport, community, and direct contact with the mountain elite.
The activity was organised by the Spanish Federation of Mountain Sports and Climbing (FEDME) and the organisation of the Gomera Paradise Skyrunning World Championships 2026, with the collaboration of the El Rempujo Association. This local entity, promoter of the Trail Barranco del Ingenio, took advantage of the event to promote its own race, which will take place next weekend during the festivities of Our Lady of Carmen.
An Opportunity to Run with the Best
The Social Run was not a competition, but an experience open to all ages and levels. Participants were able to chat with the athletes, ask them about their training, and receive advice directly from those who aspire to win medals at the Skyrunning World Championships. The atmosphere was relaxed, and at the end of the route, a refreshment station in the square allowed for further conversation between locals and elite runners.
The mayor of Vallehermoso, Emiliano Coello, valued the initiative:
“Activities like this bring high-level sports closer to the community and continue to establish Vallehermoso as a reference point for hosting major sporting events. Moreover, it is an excellent opportunity to support the work carried out by local associations, such as El Rempujo, in promoting sport and our traditions.”
La Gomera, Ready for the Skyrunning World Championships 2026
The concentration of the Spanish Team in La Gomera is no coincidence. The island will host the Gomera Paradise Skyrunning World Championships in 2026, an international championship that will make Vallehermoso one of the epicentres of global trail running. The municipality will be the venue for several events and will house the Life Base of the Ultra Sky, which will provide a significant boost to tourism and sports in the area.
For the residents of Vallehermoso, the Social Run has been a preview of what is to come. “Seeing the runners train on our trails and being able to run with them is a luxury,” commented a local participant. The involvement of the Town Hall and associations like El Rempujo demonstrates that the municipality is committed to sport as a driving force for development and social cohesion.
Next Event: Trail Barranco del Ingenio
Those who wanted more will have a new opportunity next weekend. The Trail Barranco del Ingenio, organised by El Rempujo, will take place during the festivities of Our Lady of Carmen. This event, already established in the calendar of mountain races in the Canary Islands, promises to bring together enthusiasts and professionals in a spectacular natural setting. Registrations are still open, and high participation is expected, encouraged by the success of the Social Run.
Saturday's event made it clear that Vallehermoso knows how to combine sport, tradition, and hospitality. And that, looking ahead to the 2026 World Championships, the municipality is more than ready to welcome the world of skyrunning.
You may also like
