TROFEO KIMA 2026
TROFEO KIMA 2026
Entries Open. And the Bib Hunt Begins
Trofeo Kima, the legendary race along the Sentiero Roma (52 kilometres with 8,400 metres of total elevation gain), is ready once again to make the most daring runners dream. Included again this year in the Merrell Skyrunner World Series calendar, the race will take place on the penultimate weekend of August. The date to mark in red on the racing calendar is Saturday the 22nd, with Sunday reserved as a backup date in case of bad weather.
The road map leading to the most technical and iconic race of the summer includes a few mandatory steps: first and foremost, securing a bib. Two years ago, the organising committee received a flood of 2,000 applications for just 400 available spots (sold out in only two hours, with athletes coming from 27 different countries; 19.5% of them were women).
It is therefore advisable to be ready and equipped with a solid internet connection. On Saturday 10 January at 6:00 p.m., a first slot will open, reserved for finishers of the Grigne Skymarathon, the qualifying race. The first 100 athletes who officially register among those who completed the prestigious event in Lecco will automatically be granted a place on the start line of the legendary Kima.
On Thursday 15 January, again at 6:00 p.m. to accommodate those living overseas as well, pre-registrations will open for the remaining 300 available spots. In this case, the required credentials will be a solid background of experience and a minimum number of ITRA points. The rules of engagement remain the same as in the previous edition. Aspiring starters will be required to fill in a form demonstrating that they have completed a series of technical races and possess a minimum number of ITRA points (650 for men, 500 for women). Pre-registrations will officially close on 16 February; within one week, the organising committee will evaluate the submitted résumés and publish the list of selected athletes, who must complete their registration by Monday the 23rd by paying the required entry fee.
As for the race course, there are no changes. Awaiting the world elite of the discipline is a breathtaking route conceived and proposed by Ilde Marchetti in memory of his brother Pierangelo. A highly technical loop drawn among the granite peaks of the “European Yosemite” that, over the years, has become myth, tradition and legend. The final exam at the university of skyrunning consists of those extremely technical 52 kilometres with 8,400 metres of total elevation gain and seven Alpine passes all above 2,500 metres (with a maximum altitude at Passo Cameraccio of 2,950 m), which have forged the legend of the Kima.
It is worth noting, for the women’s field, that compared to the past the female time barrier at the Gianetti Hut will be extended by half an hour. “In the early years, women started half an hour ahead of the men and therefore had more time to finish the race,” stated Ilde Marchetti. “In recent editions, start times and time barriers were standardised, but we realised that for women they were indeed too restrictive. After a careful selection at Bocchetta Roma and at the Allievi Hut, our female skyrunners will therefore have a greater time margin to achieve their sporting dream without taking excessive risks in the most technical part of the course.”
As in 2024, Karpos will once again be the main technical sponsor for this edition: “Trofeo Kima is a global icon,” said marketing manager Marco Capretta. “In addition to attracting the elite of skyrunning to the start line, it has always been a benchmark for all enthusiasts of the discipline. Its course is unique, proof of this being the fact that it has inspired — and continues to inspire — entire generations of ‘sky runners’. Being able to support it is a source of pride and satisfaction for us. A strong synergy has been established with Ilde Marchetti and his staff, looking ahead to this new edition with interesting projects. The Kima may not be for everyone, but it certainly belongs to everyone, and we want to play our part in keeping this myth alive.”
Returning to the races, we conclude by recalling that registrations for the “younger sisters” of the World Cup alpine ultra (Kima Extreme Skyrace, Kima Trail and MiniKima) will open on 1 May. For further information, please visit www.trofeokima.org.
