Youth Skyrunning World Championships 2026
Makarska / Biokovo, Croatia, 7–10 May 2026
The Youth Skyrunning World Championships 2026 were held in Croatia as part of the Absolute Biokovo Challenge, under the auspices of the International Skyrunning Federation – ISF. According to ISF information, the event brought together 208 young skyrunners from a record 32 countries, confirming the importance of this competition for the development of skyrunning among young athletes.
The competition included the VERTICAL and SKY disciplines, with races organized in the Biokovo and Makarska area.
The event programme included athlete arrivals and the technical briefing on 7 May, the VERTICAL race on 8 May, and the SKY Youth A&B and SKY Youth C&U23 races on 10 May.
Implementation of Doping Control
A total of 10 doping controls were conducted during the Championships.
Doping control was carried out in accordance with the testing plan and the operational possibilities on site.
Athlete selection and the testing procedure were conducted with the support of the organizers and the relevant ISF representatives.
It should be noted that the conditions at the finish area were challenging due to the large number of participants, several disciplines, the presence of many teams, and medical situations involving injured athletes.
From both a sporting and organizational perspective, the competition left a very positive impression. The natural surroundings of Biokovo and Makarska provided excellent conditions for skyrunning, and the event itself was attractive, well attended, and important for the promotion of the sport among young athletes.
However, several operational challenges were observed during the implementation of doping control:
Crowding at the finish area
The finish area was heavily congested due to the large number of athletes, teams, officials, and medical interventions. This made timely identification and monitoring of athletes selected for doping control more difficult.
High number of injuries and medical situations
The presence of several injured athletes and the engagement of medical teams further complicated doping control logistics, particularly in the period immediately after the races.
Similar athlete markings across disciplines
It was observed that athlete markings for different disciplines were very similar, differing only in slight colour shades. This may increase the risk of confusion when identifying athletes, especially under crowded and time-sensitive conditions.
Accommodation and athlete rest
It was reported that a graduation celebration was organized in the hotel where teams were accommodated the previous evening, lasting until approximately 02:00. Music could be heard in the hotel, which may have negatively affected the rest and recovery of athletes and teams. For an event of this level, particularly involving young athletes, quiet conditions for sleep and recovery should be ensured.
Special Acknowledgement
Special recognition should be given to Maurizio Regis for his exceptional role in the organization and implementation of doping control. His support was crucial for the successful completion of the planned activities. Without his assistance, coordination, and availability on site, the implementation of doping control would have been considerably more difficult.
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