SILVERTON, COLORADO — Megan Kimmel, one of the most accomplished mountain runners of her generation and a defining figure in the rise of women’s skyrunning on the international stage, has died at the age of 46.
News of her death was announced by the International Skyrunning Federation, which described Kimmel as “an extraordinary athlete and a true skyrunner whose legacy will endure.” The announcement sparked tributes from across the global trail-running community, where Kimmel was revered not only for her remarkable results but also for her humility, mentorship, and enduring impact on the sport.
For many athletes and fans, Kimmel represented the very best of trail running: elite performance paired with quiet determination, sportsmanship, and a deep connection to the mountain communities she called home.
A Champion Who Helped Define Modern Skyrunning
Born in Denver, Colorado, in 1980, Kimmel emerged during a transformative period for mountain running, when skyrunning and trail racing were gaining international recognition and attracting increasingly competitive fields.
Her breakthrough came in 2014 when she finished second at the Skyrunning World Championships in Chamonix, France—one of the sport’s most prestigious events. The result signaled the arrival of a new force in women’s mountain running.
The following year, Kimmel delivered one of the defining performances of her career by winning the Dolomites SkyRace and setting a course record of 2:25:57, a mark that cemented her status among the world’s elite mountain athletes.
Over the next several years, she built a résumé that few runners could match.
Her victories included the Migu Run Skyrunner World Series, Matterhorn Ultraks, Livigno SkyMarathon, Limone Extreme, Marathon du Mont-Blanc, Broken Arrow Skyrace, Pikes Peak Marathon, Dolomyths Run, The Rut, and multiple victories at Yading Skyrun.
At a time when women’s participation and visibility in trail running were expanding rapidly, Kimmel helped raise the competitive standard of the sport while inspiring a new generation of female athletes.
More Than Race Results
While her accomplishments placed her among the sport’s most decorated competitors, those closest to Kimmel say statistics tell only part of the story.
Former Salomon International Team manager Greg Vollet, who recruited Kimmel to the company’s international roster in 2015, remembered an athlete whose character often left a greater impression than her victories.
“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.”
Vollet noted that despite her success, Kimmel remained remarkably grounded and approachable, qualities that earned widespread respect throughout the endurance sports community.
His tribute resonated deeply because it reflected a sentiment echoed repeatedly by fellow runners: Kimmel’s greatest legacy may be the way she treated people rather than the races she won.
A Mentor, Business Owner, and Community Builder
Away from competition, Kimmel invested herself in the communities she loved.
Following her years at the pinnacle of international racing, she became known as a mentor to younger athletes navigating the challenges of elite sport. Fellow runners frequently credited her willingness to offer advice, encouragement, and perspective without seeking recognition.
In Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, she also became a familiar figure beyond athletics.
Residents of Ridgway remembered Kimmel as the owner of Ridgway Natural Foods, a local business that served the community during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Friends described her as thoughtful, approachable, and deeply connected to the people around her.
One community tribute captured the sentiment shared by many local residents:
“Many of us in Ridgway knew Megan as a kind, quiet, and earnest woman. Megan and her dog Pablo were a welcome part of Ridgway’s dog walking community, always willing to stop and chat with her neighbors.”
Those personal recollections reveal a side of Kimmel that race reports and podium photos often overlooked—a woman whose influence extended far beyond competitive sport.
The Lasting Impact of Megan Kimmel
The response to Kimmel’s passing illustrates the profound respect she earned throughout the trail-running world.
Athletes from multiple generations have described her as a role model whose career demonstrated that excellence and humility can coexist. Others have reflected on her influence during a period when women’s trail running experienced unprecedented growth, helping pave the way for greater recognition and opportunities within the sport.
Her death also prompted broader conversations about athlete well-being, identity beyond competition, and the challenges many elite performers face after stepping away from professional sport—topics raised thoughtfully by Vollet in his tribute.
For many within the running community, Kimmel’s story serves as a reminder that athletic greatness is measured not only by victories but also by the lives touched along the journey.
Funeral and Memorial Information
According to publicly available information, funeral and memorial service arrangements have not yet been announced by Kimmel’s family.
- Location: To be announced.
- Date & Time: To be announced.
- Protocol: Details regarding public attendance, livestream access, charitable donations, or memorial contributions have not yet been released.
Remembering Megan Kimmel
Megan Kimmel leaves behind a legacy that reaches far beyond finish lines and championship titles.
She is remembered as a Skyrunner World Series champion, an elite mountain athlete, a mentor, a business owner, and a valued member of her Colorado community. Her accomplishments helped shape the modern era of women’s trail running, while her kindness and authenticity earned admiration from competitors and neighbors alike.
Long after race records are broken and podiums forgotten, many in the trail-running world believe Kimmel’s greatest achievement will be the example she set—for perseverance, humility, generosity, and grace.
Editorial Note: This report has been compiled using verified statements from the International Skyrunning Federation, public tributes from former Salomon International Team manager Greg Vollet, and community remembrances from residents of Ridgway, Colorado. At the time of publication, no official details regarding the cause of death or memorial arrangements had been publicly released by the family.