Widely regarded as one of the greatest mountain runners of all time, Kilian Jornet has dominated skyrunning, ultra-trail racing, and ski mountaineering for over a decade. Born and raised in a mountain hut at 2000 meters in the Pyrenees, he has set numerous course records and fastest known times on the world's most prestigious peaks and races. Nicknamed 'the extraterrestrial' or 'ultraterrestrial' for his exceptional abilities, Jornet has revolutionized mountain running by blurring the boundaries between disciplines of skiing, alpinism, and running.
UTMB Index
931
Birth Date
October 27, 1987
Birth Place
Sabadell, Catalonia, Spain
Hometown
MÃ¥ndalen, Norway
Sponsor
NNormal
Key Achievements
- UTMB Winner (2008, 2009, 2011, 2022) - Course Record (19:49:30)
- Hardrock 100 Winner (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2022) - Course Record (21:36:24)
- Western States 100 Winner (2011)
- Skyrunner World Series Champion (2007, 2008, 2009, 2012, 2013, 2014)
- World Champion in Ski Mountaineering - Multiple Gold Medals
- Fastest Known Times: Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Denali
- Sierre-Zinal Winner (10 times, including 2019 Course Record 2:25:35)
- Zegama-Aizkorri Winner (11 times, including 2022 Course Record 3:36:40)
- Grand Raid de La Réunion Winner (2010, 2012)
- Trofeo Kima Winner (2010, 2012, 2014, 2018)
- Transvulcania Winner (2013)
- Pikes Peak Marathon Winner (2012, 2019)
- Golden Trail World Series Champion (2019)
- National Geographic Adventurer of the Year (2014)
Career Highlights
- 2007: First Skyrunner World Series title at age 19
- 2008: First UTMB victory at age 20 with course record
- 2009: Double champion - Skyrunner World Series and Ski Mountaineering World Cup
- 2009: GR20 traverse record in Corsica (32h54) and Tahoe Rim Trail record (38h32)
- 2010: Grand Raid de La Réunion victory in 23h17, breaking multiple records
- 2011: First European to win Western States 100
- 2013: Mont Blanc fastest known time from Chamonix (4h57)
- 2013: Matterhorn speed record from Breuil-Cervinia (2h52)
- 2014: Triple World Champion in Skyrunning (Sky, Ultra, and Vertical Kilometer)
- 2014: Hardrock 100 course record (22h41)
- 2015: Ultra Pirineu course record (12h03)
- 2017: Double ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen (controversial)
- 2018: Bob Graham Round fastest known time
- 2019: Sierre-Zinal victory and course record (2h25:35)
- 2019: Golden Trail World Series champion
- 2020: Sub-30 minute 10km road race (29:59)
- 2022: UTMB course record (19:49:30) and Hardrock 100 course record (21:36:24)
- 2022: 10th Zegama-Aizkorri victory with course record (3:36:40)
- 2023: Traversed 177 Pyrenees peaks over 3000m in 8 days
- 2024: Climbed 82 Alpine 4000m peaks in 19 days via bike and running
- 2024: 10th Sierre-Zinal victory with course record (2:25:34)
- 2024: 11th Zegama-Aizkorri victory
- 2025: Climbed 72 North American peaks over 14,000 feet in 31 days
Notable Traits
- • Grew up in Refugi de Cap de Rec, a mountain hut at 2000m in the Pyrenees
- • Climbed his first 3000m peak at age 3, and Aneto (highest Pyrenees peak) at age 5
- • Climbed first 4000m peak (Breithorn) at age 6
- • Partner Emelie Forsberg is also an elite skyrunner and ski mountaineer
- • Father Eduard Jornet was a mountain guide and refuge keeper
- • Sister Naila Jornet also competed in high-level ski mountaineering
- • Exceptional cardio-respiratory capacity: VO2max 88-92 ml/min/kg, resting heart rate 34 bpm
- • Small, efficient physique ideal for mountain running: 58kg, 1.71m
- • In 2024, climbed all 82 peaks of the Alps over 4000m in just 19 days
- • In 2025, climbed 72 peaks over 14,000 feet in North America in 31 days
- • Holds the 24-hour uphill skiing record: 23,864 meters