The best vertical runners are heading to Austria for the first time to take part in the Grand Final of the VK OPEN World Cup. The event takes place on Saturday 17 October 2026, with double points, and is held at Beinhoat das Vertical.
The Grand Final crowns a decisive round in the VK OPEN circuit, presented as the ninth and final stop. The total features 257 athletes from 17 countries, and the circuit route crosses seven countries across four continents.
On the course side, Beinhoat das Vertical offers 3.3 km of running and 1,200 m of vertical ascent between Dorfgastein and the Fulseck summit, at a stated altitude of 2,033 m. The announced records are 38’00” for men and 46’46” for women.
The VK OPEN world ranking allows up to three results to be counted: the athlete’s two best races and the Grand Final, which awards double points. The Final winner receives 200 points, the runner-up 176, and the top 40 earns points for the final standings.
Before the Final, the men’s and women’s race is extremely tight. Among the men, Louis Dumas (France) leads with 188 points ahead of Suguru Inui (Japan) on 176 and Zak Hanna (Ireland) on 168, while Vitalii Chernov (Individual Neutral) is sixth with 152. Among the women, Irina Chernova (Individual Neutral) is on 200, ahead of Sladjana Zagorac on 178.
