And from our Euro Bureau (with an obvious focus on Skyrunning):

The 2011 Skyrunner World Series concluded Sunday, with British Team Salomon mountain runner Tom Owens claiming victory on the Italian slopes of Sentiero delle Grigne. A heavy electric storm with torrential rain had race organizers actually shorten the original steep mountain marathon course. Runners still battled amidst the wet and thunderous carnage with Owens and Italy’s own Emanuela Brizio (SWS winner in 2009 and 2010) crossing the line first.

This is sweet pay-back for the Brit’s great dual with Kilian Jornet at Spain’s Zegama marathon back in May where Owens finished 2nd. His win yesterday only adds to an already terrific year. Along with Zegama, he claimed 3rd at the Gore-Tex Transrockies Run in Colorado teaming with fellow Brit Ricky Lightfoot. In 2011, Owens also records a 1st at Mournes Peak Race, 1st at Yorkshire 3 Peaks, 1st at the TransGrancanaria Marathon, and a 1st at Carenthy 5 Hill Race, meaning he didn’t forget to return home to do some work on his more local turf.

As for the final rankings in the SWS, Spain claims the men’s and women’s world champion titles as Luis

Alberto Hernando and Oihana Kortazar put the finishing touches on their stellar 2011 SWS campaigns. Hernando was third in yesterday’s race and Kortazar took second in the women’s race. The two Spaniards are now invited to the Skyrunner Super Cup on Malaysia’s Mount Kinabalu where they will contend with other skyrunning champions and record holders for the Super Cup trophy. This takes place on October 22nd and 23rd.
In the final SWS rankings, Mikhail Maamlev of Italy was 2nd and Spaniard Jabi Olabarria took 3rd. The women’s podium was completed by Emanuela Brizio and Corinne Favre of France.

Inside Trail is eagerly looking forward to covering the entire 2012 Skyrunner World Series. Stay-tuned for that.