SILVERTON, COLORADO — Megan Kimmel, a widely respected trail runner, Skyrunning champion, and mentor within the global ultrarunning community, has passed away at the age of 46.
The International Skyrunning Federation confirmed her passing in a statement issued this week, prompting an outpouring of tributes from athletes, coaches, race organizers, and fans around the world. Kimmel, whose achievements helped define a golden era of women’s mountain running, leaves behind a legacy that extends far beyond podium finishes and race records.
Life and Legacy
Born in Denver, Colorado, in 1980, Kimmel emerged as one of the most accomplished athletes in international trail running and skyrunning during the 2010s.
Her rise on the global stage accelerated after a runner-up finish at the Skyrunning World Championships in Chamonix in 2014. The following year, she announced herself among the sport’s elite by winning the Dolomites SkyRace and setting a course record of 2:25:57. From there, her list of accomplishments continued to grow.
Over a career spanning more than a decade at the highest levels of mountain running, Kimmel captured victories at some of the sport’s most prestigious events, including the Dolomites SkyRace, Matterhorn Ultraks, Livigno SkyMarathon, Limone Extreme, Yading Skyrun, The Rut, Marathon du Mont-Blanc, Pikes Peak Marathon, Broken Arrow Skyrace, and Dolomyths Run.
Among her most significant achievements was winning the Migu Run Skyrunner World Series, establishing herself as one of the dominant figures in women’s skyrunning and helping elevate the visibility of the sport internationally.
Yet those who knew Kimmel best say her greatest impact came not from her race results but from her character.
“Megan was one of those people who always seemed to have a smile on her face. She was humble, kind, dedicated and deeply respectful of everyone around her. She never sought the spotlight, even when she was winning some of the biggest races in the world,” former Salomon International Team manager Greg Vollet wrote in a tribute shared following her death.
Vollet, who recruited Kimmel to the Salomon International Team in 2015, described her as a remarkable athlete whose quiet humility stood in contrast to her extraordinary success on the trails.
More Than a Champion
Within the trail-running community, Kimmel earned a reputation as both a fierce competitor and a generous mentor.
Fellow athletes frequently recalled her willingness to encourage newcomers, share knowledge, and support younger runners entering the sport. As women’s participation in trail and ultrarunning expanded significantly over the past decade, Kimmel became a role model for athletes seeking to balance elite competition with humility and sportsmanship.
After stepping back from full-time competition, she remained active within her Colorado community. Residents of Ridgway remembered her as the owner of Ridgway Natural Foods, a local business she helped operate during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Neighbors described her as a kind and approachable presence whose impact extended well beyond athletics.
“Many of us in Ridgway knew Megan as a kind, quiet, and earnest woman,” one community tribute noted. “Megan and her dog Pablo were a welcome part of Ridgway’s dog walking community, always willing to stop and chat with her neighbors.”
A Lasting Impact on Trail Running
The reaction to Kimmel’s death underscores the respect she earned throughout the endurance sports world.
The International Skyrunning Federation described her as “an extraordinary athlete and a true skyrunner whose legacy will endure.”
For many athletes, her story represents the values that define trail running at its best: perseverance, humility, connection to nature, and community.
Tributes shared by fellow runners repeatedly emphasized that while records can eventually be broken, the influence of a person who inspires others often endures for generations.
Kimmel’s achievements helped shape modern skyrunning, but those closest to her say she will be remembered most for the kindness, grace, and authenticity she brought to every aspect of her life.
Funeral and Memorial Information
According to information publicly available at the time of publication, funeral and memorial service arrangements have not yet been announced.
- Location: To be announced by the family.
- Date & Time: To be announced.
- Protocol: Information regarding public attendance, livestream access, memorial donations, or charitable contributions has not yet been released.
Megan Kimmel is survived by family members, friends, fellow athletes, and a global trail-running community that continues to celebrate her life and contributions to the sport.
Her legacy lives on through the races she won, the athletes she inspired, the community she helped build, and the countless lives she touched along the trails she loved.
Editorial Note: This report has been compiled using verified statements from the International Skyrunning Federation, tributes from former Salomon International Team manager Greg Vollet, and publicly shared remembrances from members of the Colorado trail-running community. At the time of publication, no additional details regarding the cause of death or memorial arrangements had been publicly released by the family.