 |
| Marino Giacometti, founder of the ISF |
In
1991,
an
Italian
man by
the
name
of
Marino
Giacometti introduced
the
world
to
a
brand
new
concept
of
running.
Traversing
some
of
Europe's
highest
peaks
including
Monta
Rosa
in
northern
Italy
and
Mont
Blanc
in
France,
Giacometti's
dream
was
to
create
a
series
of
unique
and
challenging
mountain
running
events
that
encapsulated
the
true
meaning
of
“running
in
the
clouds”.
A
few
years
later,
and
with
the
first
high
altitude
trial
hosted
on
the
slopes
of
Mount
Everest,
Skyrunning
was
born.
Twenty
years
on,
and
as
the
interest
in
Skyrunning
continues
to
grow
at a rapid rate in
both
Europe
and
in
North
America,
as
well
as
in
Asia
and
New
Zealand,
South
Africa
begins
a
new
chapter
in
the
development
of
off-road running
as
this
dynamic
sport
makes
its
way
to
our
country's
mountain
ranges.
In
August
2011,
the
South
African
Skyrunning
Association
(SASA)
was
founded,
becoming a
voting
member
of
the
International
Skyrunning
Federation
(ISF).
As
part
of
its
mandate,
SASA's
goals and objectives include helping
with
the
ISF's
vision
of
growing
and
promoting
the
sport
of
Skyrunning
on
a
global
basis,
introducing
local
South
African
runners
to
the idea
of
competing
on
a
national
Skyrunning
circuit,
and
international
runners
to
the
opportunity
of
competing
on
South
African
soil.
So
what
is
Skyrunning
you
ask?
The
ISF
have
introduced
a
unique
criteria
that
defines
a
Skyrunning
event.
From
specific cumulative
altitude
gain
across
the
race
route
profile,
to
minimum and maximum elevations above
sea
level,
Skyrunning
events
encompass
a
wide
variety
of
mountain
terrain.
Comprising
of
events
such
as
the
Skymarathon®,
Skyrace®
and
Vertical
Kilomoeter®,
as
well
as
the
newly
introduced
Skytrail,
some
35
000
athletes
world-wide
enjoy
National,
European
and
World
Series
events.
The Skygames®,
which
takes
place
every
four
years
in
the
same
year
as
the
Olympics,
also
offers
Skyrunners
from
around
the
world
the
opportunity
to
represent
their
country
in
a
multi-disciplined
format
of
mountain
races.
 |
| Kilian Jornet at the 2011 Zegama Skymarathon |
As
one
of
the
primary
objectives
of
SASA,
its
mandate
includes
identifying
existing
trail
and
mountain
running
events
in South Africa that
will
be
interested
in
hosting
a
national
Skyrunning
circuit
event.
Coupled
with
these
existing
events,
the
opportunity
also
lies
in
the
introduction
of
new
mountain
running
races
as
part
of
this
national
circuit,
events
that
will
continue
to
pioneer
this
new
chapter
in
the
county's
mountain
running
scene,
all
gaining
recognition
as
official
Skyrunning
races.
“There
are
many
quality South
African
races which
already
exist and qualify
to
host
a
national
circuit
event,”
says
James
Hallett,
founder
of
SASA.
“With
a
landscape
that
boasts
some
exceptional mountainous
terrain,
I
feel
that
South
Africa
has the potential to become
a
world
class
Skyrunning
destination.”
For
the
local
runners,
it's
an
opportunity
to
join
SASA
as a registered Skyrunner®,
allowing them to
enter
and
compete
in
these
various national circuit events
to
accumulate
points,
much
like
a
Formula
1
driver
would
throughout
a
racing
season,
in
the hopes of being crowned
national Skyrunning
Champion.
“We
feel
that
the
idea
of
competing
on
a
national
circuit
will
appeal
to
both
elite
athletes
and
regular
runners
alike,
allowing
them
to
challenge
themselves
and
others
each
year.
This
will
not
detract
from
them
being
a
regular
trail
runner,
however
with
the
added
opportunity
of
being
selected
to
represent
South
Africa
at
a
Skyrunning
World
Series
event,
or
even
a
Skygames®,
it's
something
that
we
feel
will
encourage
runners
to
join,
opening
up many avenues for aspiring athletes wanting to perform on the world
mountain running
stage.”
says
Hallett.
SASA
will
be
hoping
to
announce
the
2013
national
Skyrunning
circuit
later
this
year,
with
negotiations
having
already
begun
with
interested
event
organisers.
Runners
wishing
to
sign
up
as
registered
Skyrunners
should
keep
their
eyes
on
the
official
SASA
website
for
more
details
as
and
when
they
break,
including
information
about
the
events
hosting
the
national
circuit.
Should
you
wish
to
find
out
more
about
Skyrunning,
please
visit
the
SASA
website
or
folllow
our
social
media
channels
on
Facebook
and
Twitter
