The World Skyrunner Series has Returned to the United States

Send us a text Breaking news rarely hits mountain running like this. The World Skyrunner Series is officially returning to the United States, and the Beast of Big Creek on Washington’s Olympic Peninsula is the stage. We dive straight into what makes this 23K course so compelling: sustained grades exceeding 20 percent, a clean up-and-down profile that rewards efficient climbers and fearless descenders, and a summit near 6,000 feet that avoids altitude headaches without losing the punch. With 1.5x points on offer, we make the case for why European stars could cross the Atlantic and why sub-two hours might be in play. We unpack the “why here” question through logistics and strategy. Seattle’s international access makes travel simple, while the terrain delivers classic skyrunning character without sprawling altitude or complex permitting. Then we zoom out: how ISF certification interacts with the World Series, the signals from Whiteface and Broken Arrow, and whether a U.S. skyrunning series is waiting in the wings. We compare philosophies too, contrasting Golden Trail’s media-friendly flower loops with skyrunning’s traditional aesthetic lines and discussing why a tighter global calendar could sharpen competition and improve storytelling. This is also a conversation about athlete pathways. If more U.S. events gain certification, short-trail standouts, collegiate converts, and VK specialists can build toward European icons like Matterhorn and Trofeo Kima without crossing oceans for every test. We talk rumors, real implications for the Northeast and Pacific Northwest scenes, and how brands and athletes might respond if skyrunning gains momentum here. Hit play to catch our hot takes, practical race analysis, and the questions that will define the next phase of American mountain running. If you enjoy the show, follow, share with a trail friend, and leave a quick review—what race should be the next U.S. skyrunning stop? Follow James on IG - @jameslauriello Follow the Steep Stuff Podcast on IG - @steepstuff_pod Use code steepstuffpod for 25% off your cart at UltimateDirection.com !