Jessica Campbell, a CurraNZ ambassador based in the South Island, is an accomplished trail runner who competes in NZ and abroad. Jess fell in love with running in the mountains and shares her experience of getting into a exciting sport of Skyrunning.
Jess writes, “Skyrunning is a sport of mountain running above 2,000 metres (6,600 ft) on low, medium and high altitudes with a steep incline. In other words, high-level mountain running on steep, rocky and exposed terrain, which will require scrambling at points.
There are three disciplines, Vertical Kilometer, Sky (under 50km) and SkyUltra (50+km). My definition of Skyrunning is steep climbs and steep descents with some cool ridges in between and technical trails, usually in the mountains.
How does this differ from Trail Running?
Well, it doesn’t. Trail running takes place off a paved surface, out of stadia and generally in nature. Therefore, Skyrunning is a unique form of trail that often also requires the use of your hands.
How did I get into Skyrunning?
Like most trail runners, I started out enjoying the trails and the happiness that being in nature provided. I didn’t know about ultramarathons, Zegama, UTMB or Skyrunning.
Then in 2018 I start entering races in New Zealand and was progressively introduced to the rapidly growing world of trail running as a competitive sport.
I had some decent results, but I was not “fast” and as the sport has developed, times have been getting progressively faster.
Then in 2022 I learned about Skyrunning and knew right away I wanted to do it. I am happiest in the mountains and enjoy the challenge and the focus it takes to run on technical terrain. I can’t describe the feeling of hopping along ridgelines surrounded by towering mountains, but it’s magical.
New Zealand only has two certified Skyrunning races, so I made a plan to spend time in Europe after the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships for three of the Skyrunner World Series races - Madeira Island Sky, Schlegeis 3000 and the Matterhorn Ultraks Extreme.
Racing in Europe was next level to New Zealand – both in terms of competition and race locations. Coming from sea level, my biggest challenge was dealing with the altitude, but I persevered and learned a lot. But most of all I just loved it – the races were mind blowing.
Despite the ruggedness and remoteness of the races, I never once felt unsafe. There are always chains or ropes in the really steep sections along with the local mountain safety groups scattered along the course just in case.
It may seem daunting, but in reality, anyone can be a Skyrunner, it’s just about moving in the mountains. The more you do it the more comfortable you will become.
My dream is that more people get involved in the sport and that it can grow in New Zealand.
This year I am competing in four more of the Skyrunner World Series races and hoping to qualify for the SkyMasters Final along with the Skyrunning World Championships.
Please reach out if you want to learn more about Skyrunning.
https://www.instagram.com/jessgriffcampbell/