TROFEO KIMA 2026 News Race

TROFEO KIMA 2026

Boffelli’s first time, Gerardi’s new record

William Boffelli and Hillary Gerardi are the winners of the 2026 Trofeo Kima. Never before has the event that wrote the history of skyrunning seen such a high level of participation: 936 competitors from 40 nations across the four races on the programme. A success beyond all expectations, further establishing the event conceived and created by Ilde Marchetti in memory of her brother Pierangelo, who lost his life during a rescue operation.

A SENSATIONAL FIRST TIME FOR BOFFELLI

In the main race, part of the Merrell Skyrunner World Series, no fewer than 458 competitors battled it out. The start was at 7:30 a.m. from Filorera, before tackling the 52 km and 4,200 metres of elevation gain that follow part of the famous Sentiero Roma: an extremely technical loop featuring exposed ridges and long mountaineering sections, set among the granite peaks of the “European Yosemite”; a route that over the years has become myth, tradition and legend.

Seven alpine passes had to be crossed, all above 2,500 metres, with the highest point at Cameraccio, at 2,950 metres above sea level. The very best athletes in the discipline lined up at the start, among them Bergamo’s William Boffelli, making his first appearance on this course. The Kailas Fuga team athlete, in excellent condition, stood out right from the opening stages, reaching Bocchetta Roma alongside the duo of Frenchman Felix Guglielmo and Federico Nicolini.

But from Rifugio Allievi onwards, Boffelli made his move. From that point, the leading positions never changed, with the winner gradually increasing his advantage and crossing the finish line in 6h07’43”, close to the 6h05’57” record set two years ago by Scotland’s Finlay Wild. Second place went to Mattia Bertoncini in 6h12’38”, with Federico Nicolini completing the podium in 6h17’04”.

GERARDI’S FOURTH CONSECUTIVE WIN. A NEW RECORD FOR HER

In the women’s race, the crown remains firmly in the hands of queen Hillary Gerardi. The American not only claimed her fourth consecutive victory, but also smashed her own record of 7h30’38”, setting a new benchmark with a time of 7h25’54”.

The Scarpa / Black Diamond Team athlete rightfully enters the history of the biennial event, having completed a four-win sweep over eight years, just as Corinne Favre and Morena Paieri had done in the 1990s and 2000s.

Silver on the day went to French debutant Lucille Germain (Team Nnormal), who produced an impressive comeback from 7th to second place, finishing with an excellent time of 7h32’04”. Roberta Jacquin completed the podium in 7h54’42”.

AN EXTREME SKYRACE IN NAME AND IN FACT

One hour later, at 8:30 a.m., the 222 competitors in the Kima Extreme Skyrace set off. This is the “younger sister” of the famous event that made Valmasino renowned among lovers of skyrunning. In this case, the course covered 27.5 km with 1,890 metres of elevation gain and a passage over the Barbacan Pass at 2,570 metres.

Here, Trentino’s Alex Rigo and Veneto’s Martina De Silvestro dominated proceedings. The Karpos team athlete finished in 2h59’39”. Behind him came Germany’s Julius Ott (3h01’00”), who had been first through Rifugio Gianetti, and Britain’s Charlie Allmond (3h03’44”).

In the women’s race, victory was never in doubt for the Veneto athlete from Team Nortec Vj, who finished in 3h32’19”, followed by the two British athletes Carys Mai Hughes in 3h38’19” and Alexandra Withaker (Scarpa/Lurbel) in 3h44’33”.

LARGE TURNOUT FOR THE MINI KIMA AND KIMA TRAIL RUNNING

Providing a backdrop to the two main events were the Mini Kima and the Kima Trail Running: the first, at 6 km, suitable for young runners, families and children; the second, covering 15 km with 600 metres of elevation gain, designed for better-trained runners along the trails and mule tracks of Val di Mello.

The latter course underwent some changes due to the bad weather of recent days: the river at Rasica burst its banks, forcing the organising committee to redesign the original route.

First across the finish line was Mexico’s Axel Francisco Corona Carretero (Salomon / AMD Pro Team) in 59’07”, with Matteo Mantua (59’57”) and Giovanni Doni (1h06’51”) completing the podium.

Among the women, victory went to Mexico’s Josefina Perez Licona (Team Salomon) in 1h08’30”, followed by Elisa Sortini (1h09’48”) and Maria Del Rocio Flores Cárdenas (Merrel Mexico) in 1h12’25”.

In the shorter race, first place went to Mexico’s Angel Francisco Corona Carretero (18’41”), while Giuseppe Tirinzoni (18’52”) and Nicola Libera (20’44”) took silver and bronze respectively.

In the women’s race, Anna Rigonelli (23’27”) got the better of Switzerland’s Roy Bella Romanini (23’52”) and Arianna Adragna (25’10”).