Kilian Jornet returns to action with victory at the Isfjorden Skyrace

Four-time Ultra-Trail du Tour du Mont-Blanc winner Kilian Jornet returned to action at the 2023 Isfjorden Skyrace 23km race claiming victory in the process.

The 35-year-old Spaniard is a legendary name on the ultra-running scene and once again showcased his prowess in the the mountains. He took victory in a time of 2:30:12 wearing the number one bib.

Anita Iversen Lilleskare was the victor in the women’s race in a time of 3:13:57 as the Romsadalen valley played host to the event in Norway.

Jornet tops the podium

Jornet – whose resumé boasts seven Skyrunning World Cup championships and three Ultra Running World Cup championships – bested Fredrik Bruseth (2:33:58) and Øystein Ulekleiv (2:38:41) in the 23km race.

The Spaniard has plans to take on the Sierre-Zinal in August, an event he has won on no less than nine occasions. He also holds the course record for the 31km jaunt at 2:25:36 in a much reduced race calendar as he committed on Instagram earlier this year to reducing his carbon footprint.

On the Nnormal website its announced that he plans to complete a ‘long distance project/race’ later in the season – although this weekend’s victory was an offshoot from his announced calendar.

Kilian Jornet wins Sierre-Zinal in 2021 photo credit Marco Gulberti at Corsa in Montagna — Kilian Jornet wins Sierre-Zinal in 2021 [Photo credit: Marco Gulberti at Corsa in Montagna]

Summarising his return to action following broken ribs and a hip injury, Jornet said:

“The recovery after Himalaya’s expedition wasn’t straight forward. The broken ribs and a hip injury made my training a bit more low intensity than I would liked, but finally it seems that all those small injuries are gone. Happy today to be racing at the local skyrace @isfjordenskyrace a bit faster than last year, it seems that different training approaches to running fast can get to a similar result 😜”
Kilian Jornet on Instagram

In the women’s race is was Lilleskare who topped the podium ahead of former Olympic cross-country skier Ragnhild Gløersen Haga (3:15:08) and Johanna Åström (3:16:55).