Broken Arrow Sky Race results: Kilian Jornet catches a cold as US star claims an epic victory

We are just a few days out from the iconic showdown at Western States, and the final prep for the great Kilian Jornet did not go quite according to plan.

The GOAT of ultrarunning is back after a 15-year hiatus to take on the world’s finest in California next Friday (June 28), and after arriving in the US he lined up on Friday for the 2025 Broken Arrow Sky Race, a course of 2.15 miles/3.46km in Palisades Tahoe with an astonishing 1,800’/349m vertical gain. A race that absolutely got its name for good reason.

There was a surprise for the field before the start, with gale force winds at the summit of Washeshu Peak leading organisers to reroute the race to finish at KT22 at 2,458m.

Illness hampers Jornet bid

For Jornet though the distance and vertical gain was secondary to the health issues he battled as he came home in 23rd place while US star Christian Allen, showcasing again the power of the mullet, claimed a terrific victory.

Jornet would later reveal in an Instagram post that he was under the weather for this one – explaining: “A cold after traveling meant the body didn’t cooperate to go full gas, but that happens in this sport! Time to adapt, and focus on the week ahead.”

While Jornet’s focus now turns to getting healthy for the ultimate test in just a few days’ time, Allen received the plaudits for a victory by 23 seconds over Colorado native Joseph Gray. Another Colorado athlete in the shape of Cameron Smith completed the podium. The race was dominated by home athletes with the first six to finish all from the US.

Glory for Gibson

The first woman home was the impressive Anna Gibson from Wyoming, who reached the finish a handful of seconds after Jornet. She had just over a minute-and-a-half to spare over nearest rival Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN). Canada’s Jade Belzberg completed the podium.