KUALA LUMPUR: Spanish teenager Marcos Villamuera Izquierdo stole the show at the Kailas Penang Skyrace, clinching a double by winning both the 30km Pro Sky and 10km Short Sky races in Georgetown last weekend.
Jointly organised by MMTF Consultant, Malaysia Mountain Goat and Penang International Hikers for the second straight year as part of the Merrell Skyrunner® World Series — this time as the sixth stop of the 2025 season — the event once again showcased the gruelling yet spectacular trails of Penang Hill.
The 19-year-old Izquierdo battled technical terrain, searing heat and humidity to triumph in Saturday’s flagship 30km Pro Sky race, clocking 3:45:22s over a punishing course featuring more than 2,300 metres of elevation gain.
Mongolia’s Luvsansharav Natsagdorj finished second in 4:00:24, while Malaysia’s Milton Amat delighted home supporters by crossing the finish line at Youth Park in 4:03:21.
Izquierdo returned on Sunday to dominate the 10km Short Sky event, winning with a commanding time of 1:14:39, ahead of American Benjamin Townsend (1:19:51) and Japan’s Hiroyuki Kawachi (1:24:49).
In doing so, he also secured a stage win in the Under-23 Trofeo Esteban Olivero Series, which was staged in Malaysia for the first time as part of the 14-leg global series.
Despite initially struggling with the terrain and tropical conditions, Izquierdo said the experience ultimately proved transformative.
“Well, basically my race was good. It was hard, maybe the hardest I’ve done because of the heat,” said Izquierdo.
“Originally, I was coming here to run the 10k, but I saw I could do well in this race. I could run good, and I said, ‘Why not try it?’ It was good training, specifically for my hip, because I really hate running in really hot conditions.
“Running in the jungle was quite an experience. I don’t typically race in this kind of terrain because there are a lot of animals and things we’re not used to. But it was good – a great experience.
“The sunrise was really, really good. My heat adaptation these days was effective, so maybe that’s the biggest improvement in my training here.”
In the women’s 30km Pro Sky race, France’s Iris Pessey claimed the title in 4:48:03, going one better than her runner-up finish last year.
Australia’s Simone Brick (4:56:58) edged Mongolia’s Dulamsuren Myagmar (5:01:24) to take second place.
The event also featured the 50km Sky Ultraks — a points race for the Asia Trail Master Championship series — and the 5km Fun Sky, catered to novice runners.
The 50km race saw the Philippines’ Godwin Mirar and Vietnam’s Hau Ha emerge victorious in the men’s and women’s categories respectively, while Malaysia’s Wilsen Singgin thrilled local fans by securing second place among the men.
The Merrell Skyrunner® World Series features 23 races worldwide this year, with Malaysia one of only four Asian countries — alongside Japan and South Korea — are featured in the calendar.
RESULTS
30km Pro Sky
Men: 1 Marcos Villamuera Izquierdo (Spa) 3:45:22s, 2 Luvsansharav Natsagdorj (Mon) 4:00:24, 3 Milton Amat (Mas) 4:03:21;
Women: 1 Iris Pessey (Fra) 4:48:03, 2 Simone Brick (Aus) 4:56:48, 3 Dulamsuren Myagmar (Mon) 5:01:24.
10km Short Sky
Men: 1 Marcos Villamuera Izquierdo (Spa) 1:14:39, 2. Benjamin Townsend (US) 1:19:51, 3. Hiroyuki Kawchi (Jpn) 1:24:49;
Women: 1 Betty Bergstrand (Eng) 1:27:39, 2 Rio Townsend (US) 1:45:28, 3 Nurfathin Zahrolayali (Mas) 1:52:36.
50km Sky Ultraks
Men: 1 Godwin Mirar (Phi) 5:41:34, 2 Wilsen Singgin (Mas) 5:59:46, 3. Chris Timms (Eng) 7:35:30;
Women: 1 Hau Ha (Vie) 6:01:00, 2 Priya Rai (Nep) 6:10:31, 3. Antonina Dmitruk (Rus) 8:20:37.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
