The International Skyrunning Federation’s Annual General Assembly took place in Soria, Spain, concomitant with the Skyrunning World Championships on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
The ISF today counts a total of 46 nations, between full members, associate members and aspirant members.
The assembly was chaired by Marino Giacometti, President, Silvio Calvi, VP, International Relations, and Pavlos Georgiades, the new Secretary General.
The Management Committee was reconfirmed with the addition of Juan Jesus Ibañez Martin of the Spanish member, FEDME.
Giacometti presented the President’s Report on the 2023-24 season, highlighting activities which included the activation of the Strategic Plan, the Continental Councils and the Committees.
Among the key subjects were the introduction in 2023 of the ISF Card together with the Ranking. The ranking is based on all Course Certified races which today count 180 races worldwide including the Skyrunner® National Series races. From 2025, all races using trademarks under license to the ISF will be obliged to obtain the Course Certified label. Also starting next year, an ISF license, which will include the ISF card privileges, will be compulsory for official team athletes participating in championships.
WADA anti-doping tests were conducted at the Youth and European Skyrunning Championships in 2023, including the SWS SkyMasters. In 2024 tests were carried out at the Youth and World Championships. ISF Referees were present at all the events.
Anti-Doping Committee President, Dr Nenad Dikic, hosted the first educational panel to educate runners, members and team leaders on the subject at the 2024 Youth Championships in Montenegro. More are in store.
Looking at the many events, closing the 2023 season the Stairclimbing World Championships took place in Osaka, Japan and the Asian Skyrunning Championships in Hong Kong, China.
The 2024 season saw a great concentration of events in the first half of the year with the SkySnow World Championships in Friuli, Italy in March. The Masters Skyrunning World Championships followed in Portugal in April, and the 2024 Youth Skyrunning World Championships in June, held in Bar, Montenegro.
The Skyrunner® National Series, managed directly by the ISF, counts ten countries in 2024: Austria, Brazil, Bulgaria, France, Italy, Japan, Korea, Portugal, Spain and UK & Ireland.
The process for IOC recognition of the federation has formally restarted with SportAccord and AIMS after the dissolution of GAISF. While many criteria tick the boxes, such as structure, statutes, world championships, anti-doping and 15 years of activity, work is ongoing for the further development and structure of ISF members.
Immediately after the General Assembly, a hugely entertaining parade of national teams took place led by a local drum band through the streets of host town Covaleda, creating a strong unison among the record 41 countries from five continents participating.
Saturday, September 6 saw the eighth edition of the Skyrunning World Championships events kick off at the Desafio Urbión host venue with the VERTICAL, SKYULTRA and SKY disciplines where 27 medals were awarded.
The rich 2024 season will finish with the Grand Finale of the fourth VK OPEN Championships on October 13 on the island of Madeira, Portugal.
Looking forward to the near future, the full 2025 race calendar will be announced shortly after the Management Committee’s decisions for the Continental and 2026 World Championships bids are finalised.
