1. Running High on Altitude
Skyrunning isn't that different from any other form of trail running, except it's done several thousand feet above sea level. Skyrunners are long-distance runners and sprinters who practice their sport on some of the highest mountains in the world. High altitudes add an element of difficulty to marathons because there's less oxygen for the lungs to take in and muscles to absorb. Sky races and marathons typically begin at least 2,000 feet above sea level and end at a mountain's summit.
2. Catch Some Air
Skyrunning events take place wherever there are mountains, including Colorado, Nepal, Mexico, the European Alps and Tibet. Ski resorts are ideal for training and races because of their easy vehicle access and ready-made trails. The type of race is dependent on the terrain. Some sky races involve a steady ascent and are completed in a matter of hours while other races require runners to sprint seemingly straight up and are done in minutes.
3. Can't Rush Success
If you live at a high altitude, you have an advantage over competitors who reside at sea level for the majority of the year. The body needs to acclimate to altitude changes, so training can be a somewhat slow process. If you're on day one of your training, start out slowly jogging the course and gradually increase your pace with each day. You'll likely have a harder time breathing and your muscles will protest, but it's part of the acclimation process. It's important to stay hydrated during any race, but it's critical for skyrunners to drink enough water to help prevent altitude sickness.
4. Physiology Facts
Accomplished skyrunners' bodies function a little differently than runners who compete at lower elevations. A skyrunner's body delivers oxygen to the muscles more efficiently in a process that's called VO2 uptake. The decreased atmospheric pressure found at high altitudes inhibits the body's ability to draw oxygen out of red blood cells. The body needs to train at a high elevation consistently in order to improve its VO2 uptake, but it's an adjustment nearly anyone's body can make. Once the body's acclimated, it can transport oxygen from the lungs to the muscles as easily as it could at lower elevations.
5. Finally, a Name
Skyrunning is essentially the fusion of mountaineering and trail running. Athletes have been running at high altitudes for as long as people have lived in the mountains, but the sport didn't officially receive a name until the late 1990s. Italian outdoorsman Marino Giacometti is credited with developing the sport in 1992. Since it became an organized sport, skyrunning has attracted competitive runners from around the globe. Several skyrunning events, many of which offer sponsorships and prize money, take place throughout the year in various countries.
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