TROFEO KIMA 2024 – Official qualification races to enter the ‘University of Skyrunning

Chains, a constant feature at Trofeo Kima. ©Trofeo Kima

Livigno Skymarathon and the Grigne Skymarathon have just been announced as the first two official ‘certified races’ in an athlete’s build-up to Kima, the queen of ultra skymarathons. All athletes that finish one of these two highly technical races will receive a wild card for the La Grande Corsa sul Sentiero Roma. The objective is to create a credible, top-tier circuit that protects and celebrates the adrenaline-heavy courses that make up skyrunning in its purest form. To reach this aim, the organisers of Trofeo Kima will put 200 race entries aside, exclusively for the use of those who complete either Livigno Skymarathon or Grigne Skymarathon.

“The idea originated from former champion Marco de Gasperi, and I was immediately on board,” says Ilde Marchetti, the president of Associazione Kima. ‘To become a certified race, an event has to prove that it’s highly competitive and we don’t plan on having more than 4 certified races. We’re starting with two in Italy, which both have a proven track record, and we’re already looking at two international events from a shortlist. By creating this circuit, our aim is to preserve skyrunning’s technical character and inspire a whole new generation of sky runners through jaw-dropping images and videos. In short, it’s about keeping the original flame of skyrunning alive, but retold it in a modern way – even though these races aren’t for everyone, they belong to everyone. There’s a heritage in skyrunning that we want to defend and preserve.’

A Livigno SkyMarathon section, Kima qualifying race. ©iancorless.com

The idea is built upon a proven model – already adopted elsewhere in athletics – but adapted for the world of skyrunning in a bid to strengthen events with serious potential. As a pre-requisite to being signposted as a privileged route to Kima, all certified events must have a highly technical course as well as a high organisational standard, making them a desirable goal for skyrunners.

Entries to Trofeo Kima are currently distributed in a lottery, with a limited field of just 350 race entries. Interested entrants must provide proof of experience in technical terrain and possess a number of ITRA points (min. 650 for male athletes, 500 for females). More than 2,000 entrants from across the world jostled for an entry at the most recent edition of the race. Through this new certified race entry system, all finishers from the 2023 Livigno Skymarathon and Grigne Skymarathon will be assured of a race entry and bypass the lottery.

Jean Baptiste Simukeka in a section with chains at the Grigne SkyMarathon. ©ZacUp

This approach does not mean lowering the bar or that Trofeo Kima is reducing its selection standards—far from it. After careful analysis, the technical staff at Trofeo have reached the conclusion that these two events put athletes in good stead ahead of the legendary Valmasino race. Now, Trofeo Kima, which may have felt like a utopia to many, can become a dream that they’ll realise.

Livigno Skymarathon takes place on 17 June 2023 and Grigne Skymarathon is on 16 September 2023. For more information, visit the two official race websites: www.livignoskymarathon.it and  www.grigneskymarathon.com

So, now what are you waiting for? Get training and turn your dream into reality.