SILVERTON/RIDGWAY, CO — The trail running and skyrunning communities are mourning the heartbreaking loss of Megan Kimmel, a pioneering American mountain runner, skyrunner, entrepreneur, and beloved free spirit who passed away recently at the age of 46. News of her passing was shared by the International Skyrunning Federation and echoed across outlets like iRunFar, leaving athletes, friends, and fans around the world in shock.
Megan Kimmel, born in 1980 in Denver, Colorado, was one of the most accomplished and influential figures in skyrunning and mountain running over the past decade-plus. She brought relentless drive, joy, and authenticity to the trails, inspiring countless runners with her adventurous spirit and no-nonsense approach to life in the mountains.
A Storied Career in the Mountains
Megan’s racing career took off in the early 2000s with strong performances in U.S. mountain races. She quickly rose to international prominence, earning a silver medal at the 2014 Skyrunning World Championships in Chamonix (SkyMarathon). In 2015, she dominated with victories at the Dolomites SkyRace (setting a course record), Matterhorn Ultraks, and The Rut, among others.
Her pinnacle came in 2016 when she won the Skyrunner World Series in the SkyRace category, claiming wins at events like Livigno SkyMarathon, Matterhorn Ultraks, Limone Extreme, The Rut, and Yading Skyrun (which she also won in 2017 and 2019). She represented Team USA multiple times at the World Mountain Running Championships and contributed to a bronze medal-winning team in 2009.
Stateside highlights included multiple wins in the La Sportiva Mountain Cup series, victories at the Pikes Peak Marathon (with a then-course record in 2018) and Ascent, The North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Mile Championships (2015), and Broken Arrow Skyrace. She also podiumed at prestigious ultras like Transvulcania.
Beyond competition, Megan embraced adventure—camping across the Alps, traveling to remote races in China, and always blending racing with exploration.
Life Beyond the Trails
Megan made Southwest Colorado her true home, settling in Silverton around 2002 and later Ridgway. She owned and operated Cafe Möbius, a beloved coffee shop that became the heart of the community, known for homemade breakfast burritos and fostering connections among locals and adventurers alike.
After stepping back from professional racing around the COVID-19 era, she co-opened a whole-foods store in Ridgway and pursued advanced training in massage therapy and structural integration, helping others through her practice. She was a dedicated dog mom, backcountry skier, hiker, daughter, sibling, neighbor, and friend who lived life on her own terms.
Tributes highlight her compassion, strength, humor, and larger-than-life presence. As one remembrance noted, the San Juan Mountains feel vacant without her.
The cause of her death has not been publicly detailed in initial announcements, with focus remaining on celebrating her extraordinary legacy.
Family, friends, and the global running community continue to share memories and condolences. Megan’s impact on the sport and those who knew her will endure through the trails she loved and the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed.
Rest in peace, Megan. May your spirit keep running free in the mountains.
Leave a Reply